The Portrait of a Forgotten Dream🔊

In the tiny village of Nubrem, nestled heartily in the embrace of mountains and a river, lived a humble artist named Elbert. Elbert was blessed with a unique gift - he could transform mundane objects into stunning pieces of art. His fingers held a magic touch, bringing lifeless things to memorable existence. However, the villagers did not comprehend the beauty of his artistry, forcing him to live a life of solitude in his modest cottage, adjacent to the river.

One day, as Elbert was engrossed in painting the azure sky, a beautiful damsel, Rhea, walked past his cabin. Elbert was captivated by her enchanting beauty and fell in love at first sight. He yearned to paint her, to capture her elegance and richness in colors and shades on his canvas. Alas, a commoner like him could not dare to ask the town beauty for such favor. Elbert decided to make her portrait from a distance, using memories of their unfamiliar encounters.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, as Elbert diligently worked on Rhea's portrait. He observed her from far, noticing every minute detail; the way she tied her hair or the way her eyes twinkled when she laughed. Though Elbert and Rhea were physically distant, in thoughts Elbert was near her every hour and every minute. It was a strange bonding, one that bound them through the silent language of art.

Finally, the portrait was finished. It was nothing less than a masterpiece. Though Elbert was eager to show it to Rhea, he was unsure of her reaction, fearing that his act may be perceived as creepy or stalkerish. Therefore, he placed the portrait in the common area of the village, hiding the artist's identity.

The next morning, the portrait caught everyone's eye. The villagers were spellbound by the creation, including Rhea. She was overwhelmed, seeing her beauty being portrayed with such accuracy and emotion. Everyone was curious about the anonymous artist, but no one could guess it was the desolate Elbert.

One afternoon, when Rhea was alone, admiring the portrait, she noticed the reflection of the river in the eyes of the portrait, the same reflection she used to see in Elbert's eyes when he used to gaze at her from his cabin. Meanwhile, Elbert decided to confess his feelings to Rhea. He approached the common area only to find Rhea contemplating the portrait.

Mustered with courage, Elbert approached Rhea. Trembling, he confessed his affection and revealed that he was the one who painted her portrait. To his surprise, Rhea's face lit up. She smiled and told Elbert that she always knew there was a secret admirer who adored her beauty, and suspected that Elbert was the one.

Surprised and elated, Elbert fell on his knees and proposed to Rhea, who accepted with sparkles in her eyes. The villagers were astounded when they learned about Elbert's talent and his love story with Rhea. They started appreciating Elbert's art, and he was no longer a desolate figure.

The story of Elbert and Rhea's magical love story, etched in colors and shades, became a folklore in Nubrem.

The portrait, however, was titled 'The Portrait of a Forgotten Dream,' symbolizing the long lost dream of Elbert, which was now realized. It stood there in the town square, reminding everyone of a dream that once was forgotten but found its life through the fixation of an artist's sight and the loyal longing of love. Later, the silent river also became synonymous with Elbert's love for Rhea, narrating the tale of a dream unspoken but forever cherished.