RAPHAEL.
Long, long ago, across the sea, there lived a master artist.
He made, in clay, such beautiful bowls and vases, that people came from far and near to buy them.
Some young men lived with him. The master artist taught them how to make the same beautiful things.
One summer day, one of these young men was very sad. A little boy with golden hair ran up to him and said, “Dear Luca, why are you so unhappy?”
“Oh, Raphael!” said Luca. “The great duke wants us to paint him a bowl and a vase. The master says that the artist who makes the most beautiful one may live with him always. He will also have a gift from the duke.”
“When must the bowl and the vase be ready?” said Raphael.
“In three months,” answered Luca.
Raphael threw his arms around Luca’s neck.
“Let me try to paint them for you,” said the little boy with golden hair.
“You dear child!” cried Luca. “You are only seven years old. You cannot help me.”
Raphael was very sorry for his dear Luca.
“Oh, Luca, I love you so! Please let me try,” he said again.
Then Luca said, “You may try, Raphael. It can do no harm. I can never paint the vase and the bowl.”
Raphael was glad now that his father had taught him how to draw.
He was glad, too, that the master artist had taught him how to put the colors on the clay.
All through the long summer days the child worked alone. He would not let any one see his painting till it was done.
One day he showed Luca his work.
“Dear Luca, see!” he said. “There are the vase and the bowl for you to give the duke!”
Luca fell on his knees before the little boy.
“Wonderful child!” he said. “I cannot call this beautiful work mine. It would not be right.”
The next day the duke came to look at all the vases and the bowls.
“Here is something very beautiful,” he said, taking a bowl in his hand. “Who painted this?”
The master artist turned to the young men and said, “Who did this work?”
But no one answered.
Then a little boy with golden hair went to him. “I painted it,” he said. “I, Raphael.”
Tears of joy came into the great duke’s eyes. He took a golden chain from around his neck and gave it to Raphael.
The little boy said, “But it is Luca’s. I painted the bowl for him to give to you.”
But Luca did not hear him. He was kneeling again at the feet of the wonderful child.
Louise de la Ramée’s“The Child of Urbino” (Adapted).