Tiny Art by Tiny Hands

    On a bright, slightly chilly day, a sweet melody fills the air of a beautiful field of flowers. Jacinta lowers the pan flute from her lips, cheeks sore from exertion and smiling.


    “Thank you for letting this ameteur join you.” Jacinta’s warm smile is returned by a blue-skinned elf. “I rarely get to use this old thing.”


    Dwirhian tunes her lyre, preparing for the next inspiring tune. “Happy to have the accompaniment.” She laughs. “Especially if it’s for the little ‘uns.” Both adults look out at the scene in front of them.


    The Dragon scouts sit in a loose semi-circle, each with a piece of paper and pencil in hand. Today’s trip to the flower field is paramount for the little scouts. Today is their first chance to earn their art patch.


    Jacinta's smile somehow manages to grow wider, eyes soft as she surveys her scouts. She gives Dwirhian a bat on the forearm. “I better go check out their masterpieces. Thank you again for the music.”



    A few determined scouts have formed their own little circle, BB rounding them out. In the middle of this circle stands Jasper, striking a quite impressive pose.

“Miss Flower Lady, does my picture look all lumpy?” A small, curious voice asks. Perched on BB’s knee is Rollo, tongue poking out as he adds another berry to his portrait.


    BB raises an eyebrow surveying the drawing. She looks down, then up at Jasper, then down again. BB then tilts her head and squints. “You know, Rollo, I think it’s perfect.”Upon hearing this, the other little scouts scramble from their seats and rush over to BB.


“Flower Lady, is my shading alright?”

“Look Miss BB, I added you to my background!”

“I gave Jasper a moustache and a monocle, is that okay?”


    Bombarded on all fronts, BB is brought low by tiny halflings and gnomes. As they eagerly request her expertise, she can only smile and gather them all up in a hug.



    Hackniss holds a sheet of paper with a look of concern on her face. She looks from the drawing to the young gnome in front of her. “Kasz, did you actually find a flower like this?” The drawing in question depicts a large orange flower with massive fangs devouring butterflies.


    Kasz stubs his little booted foot in the ground. “Well....” He looks up at Hackniss with guilty eyes. “I saw a pretty flower but thought it would be a lot cooler if it had a buncha teeth. But what’s the point of havin’ a buncha teeth if you got nothin’ to eat? So then I drew the butterflies.” He fiddles with a frayed string on his dragon scout sash. “Am I in trouble, Junior Scout Master? Am I not going to get my art patch?” Kasz asks, nearly in tears.


    Jacinta immediately steps in, placing an arm around both of their shoulders. She turns so the little trio is facing all of the scouts. “Now, today was all about creating some art and trying our best. I think we all did just that. So everyone gets an art patch!”


    Excited cries echo throughout the field. The scouts begin dancing cheerily to Dwirhian’s lyre, which now plays a jaunty tune.  Jacinta looks at her enthusiastic kiddos, feeling pleased as punch. This is worth every daring, treacherous adventure: seeing these tiny, happy faces. But something is missing.

     Jacinta looks around until she spots the bushes at the edge of the field. Without alerting the others, she wanders over with a small, soft smile on her face. Upon arrival, she finds an empty plate and mug, which held cookies and hot chocolate at the beginning of this trip. Next to the plate is a picture of the whole field, including the circle of scouts, Dwirhian strumming her lyre, BB and Jasper with their little crew, and Jacinta watching over all of them. The care placed in this artwork is clear, the feelings of both joy and longing evident in every line. Jacinta is no artist, but the beauty is undeniable.


    “This is the type of picture I would hang up on my wall.” Jacinta gives the praise easily, sincerity in every word. A hand creeps out of the bush turning the picture over. The back reads For my friend, Jacinta. ~W. The swell of emotion brings a tear to her eyes. “Well, someone has definitely earned their art patch. And a few others as well.”


    She places a patch with a paintbrush next to the plate. And a patch showing two people hugging. And a patch with a dragon’s claw. “You earned your friendship patch a while ago. But I’m glad I can give you this last patch. It takes a lot of courage to be a part of something. You’re very brave, Whistler. A true dragon scout.” She places a sack of granola bars near the patches, tied neatly with a bow.


“You’re welcome anytime, kiddo.”







*special thanks to Jamie, Lykksie, and Sophie for allowing me to use their PCs*