I heard a story I thought I could illustrate for the prompt, although there are only a few days before the deadline--I'm not sure how to do it though and I would love some help from the brain trust.
The story went like this:
Long ago, (1888) there was once a poor boy who lived in the Midwest on a farm with his mother. His father left him a violin, which he loved very much, and would play and play every opportunity that he got--to the point that sometimes it would be locked up until he did his chores. When he grew up he was invited to try out for the territorial orchestra, which would play all over the area. After he finished playing, the man said "You are the most accomplished violinist I have ever heard west of Denver," and offered him a place in the orchestra effective that fall, which would pay very well. The next week, his Bishop (the leader of his congregation) called him into his office and asked "Is there any way you can put off playing in the orchestra for a couple of years? Before you start earning money, you owe something to God: Will you accept the call to serve a two-year mission teaching people the Gospel of Jesus Christ?" The young man told his bishop that if there was any way he could raise the money required, he would accept the call. He went home and told his mother that he had been called on a mission and asked if there was any way they could raise the money for him to go.
His mother looked at him and said, "There is one thing of value that we own.
If you sell your violin, we will have enough money for you to go on this mission."
Six days later he wrote in his journal "I awoke this morning and took my violin from its case. All day long I played the music I loved. In the evening when the light grew dim and I could play no longer, I placed the instrument in its case. It is enough. Tomorrow I leave for my mission."
Forty-five years later, he wrote in his journal "The greatest decision I ever made in my life was to give up something I truly loved to the God I loved even more. He has never forgotten me for it."
(the greatest decision of my life- FollowHIM podcast)
There is a clear moment of saying goodbye, when he played his violin all day before selling it to fund his mission, but how can I show the whole story? obviously, it is a young man, in a small dusty worn farm room, playing the violin, with the case open and the music. but how can I show that this is not a private concert, not just practicing, it is a painful and poignant goodbye?
I think the time of day should be as it is getting dim, close to the end, and perhaps his mother and younger siblings are there, and perhaps the person who is going to buy the violin is there? how do I say that in a way that you get it immediately? who would buy a violin for a lot of money over there? how would they look? how would they pay? with a briefcase of cash? a check? would they be old? or middle-aged? what is the one thing they need to hold or wear or have to immediately say this is a purchaser of a very high quality, and well-loved violin?
I suppose for the story there should also be a dusty suitcase prepared, and a good though worn suit laid out to be worn the next day. Maybe there is some sort of visual cue, like a train ticket or some missionary-specific item to cue the viewer that the lover of this violin is leaving it behind?
I also wonder if I could clarify the story by including a line from his journal entry somehow? but that has never gone well for me before, they never get it. How can we say he is not only leaving soon, but letting go of his best friend at this moment?
what do you think? thanks a lot everyone
I loved your sketch, so that's why I couldn't resist doing a draw-over. (oops, yes I see now that it's clearly a cart not a gun). I like the idea of mixed emotions on her face.
