Nazim Hikmat, the great Turkish poet, once asked his friend Abidin Dino (Turkish artist and a well-known painter) to draw a picture of happiness.
Abidin drew a picture of a whole family, cramped up on a broken bed under a leaky roof in a shabby room…but still with a smile of satisfaction on each member’s face.
Since then “Can you paint the picture of happiness for me, Abidin?” is a well-known phrase for Turks.
Goes without saying that the painting became very famous.
I am indebted to Shankar who brought this to my notice. I know that he will be reading this.
Thank you Shankar.
They are filled and surrounded by love.
Absolutely. That is what attracted me to the painting and made me post it.
They have each other, what more would a family want. Other than a nice warm bed to share, some animals that cheer or give eggs. Doesn’t matter what the status of your abode is, if you are “there for each other” all will be good…
Catherine de Seton recently posted..Avoid heavy exercise and Lifting
I simply loved the painting and the story behind it.
What a wonderful painting. I love the father holding his umbrella as he sleeps. Presumably if the stove is going, they’re pleasantly warm. And presumably the dog is happy too, sprawled comfortably on top of the three children. I like the way the bottom of the bed is supported on bricks.
I know of similar families Nick and they are not unusual in our part of the world. It never fails to amaze me as to how they manage to be cheerful and content despite hard living conditions made worse by the pandemic.
I love the birds on the window sill and the cat curled up under the father’s pillow. If that isn’t happiness and enjoying what you have, I don’t know what is. Thank you so much for sharing.
Entirely my pleasure Irwin. I am glad that you liked it.
Oh, I never noticed the cat! I hope it won’t be squashed if the father moves his head!
nick recently posted..The urge to destroy
Very unlikely as cats have an uncanny sixth sense and can shift positions while sleeping as I see often with our Manimow.
beautiful Rummy! the real Truth of happiness in life.
thank you so much for sharing it. xo
Entirely my pleasure Tammy. I am glad that you liked it.
As a woman, I see it differently. It looks like she gave birth every year for 6 years or thereabouts. I wish her happiness, of course but……..
XO
WWW
Frankly, I too saw it in the same way as I would any Indian family with more than two children. The story however took over and I let the size of the family be.
That’s very sweet.
I found it so too.