5Amir and Expectations

In the quiet village of Peace Valley, Amir and his sister Sara lived in a small house at the edge of the village.

Amir was a pessimist. He feared people would mock him for being bad at football, and believed that entering the drawing competition at the festival would end in failure.

“A negative outlook passes; hope and encouragement make reality bright.”

Sara, who always saw the bright side, secretly planned to support her brother. A few days before the spring festival, she hung various artworks around the house, showing beauty in all its forms.

On the night before the festival, she left a new box of colours and a sheet of drawing paper on Amir’s desk. It sparked his curiosity, and inspired him to paint a wonderful picture, just as Sara had described it.

On the day of the festival Amir took part hesitantly, but with his sister’s encouragement he presented his painting. It amazed everyone and won first prize.

That moment changed Amir’s outlook on life. He realised his negative outlook had been passing, and that hope and encouragement can make reality bright and beautiful.