The Real Meaning of Success Alfonso Never Saw Coming.
(Saturday, June 1, 2024).
Mr. Braun dipped the tip of his brush into the well-mixed poster color. Silent and reserved, he worked on his masterpiece. It was all he ever did—paint.
Everyone in the little town could have sworn they never heard what his voice sounded like. It was a vow no one knew when he took, but it hardly went unnoticed.
Every stroke of his paint brush brought a message to life in bright colors. His canvas was a world where meaning evolved. In contrast to his reserved nature, people swarmed his little paint shop.
They connected emotionally to the wonderfully made artwork sitting proudly on his canvas. Truly, his paintings did all the talking. He didn't need to produce a sound.
Alfonso, a wealthy man who had heard of the silent painter whose artwork made more sense than spoken words, came searching for him. He wanted to see for himself if such a man existed and, perhaps, could help with his problem.
Exquisitely dressed in an Armani suit and tailored pants, he stepped out of his black Range Rover. His brown moustache circled around his mouth, pulling at the base of his chin.
At age 56, he was still the man every woman wanted. Alfonso walked in majestically with two of his bodyguards. Both were over five feet tall and dressed in all black with dark sunglasses.
"I'm Alfonso," he said in a raspy voice, stretching out his hand for a handshake. Mr. Braun eyed the smooth hand covered in several rings ornamented with real gold.
He locked his old, skinny hand in Alfonso's, bowing slightly.
Alfonso carefully withdrew his hand, laughing out loud. The sound bounced off the walls of the studio. People were not allowed closer by the intimidating bodyguards.
"Hmm. You truly don't speak." He stroked his chin, studying the man under his long, luxurious lashes. "I've heard a lot about you, silent painter, and I must say that I'm quite impressed. I was told you don't use your words, but... that".
Alfonso pointed at the closest canvas, illustriously holding a vast sea, meeting the skyline at a point.
"I have a question for you, Mr. Braun, and I don't really mind how I get the response, as long as it satisfies my curiosity." He turned around and settled into a comfortable armchair.
Mr. Braun stood straight and tall, a body language that spells confidence. He has dealt with rich people worse than Alfonso. For the record, Alfonso is by far the nicest.
The wealthy man crossed his legs, a gentle smile playing on his lips. "What do you understand by success, Mr. Braun?" He clasped his fingers together and rested his chin on them.
Mr. Braun grabbed a pallet and began mixing. When he got the right colors in preferred proportions, he faced an empty canvas.
Mr. Braun did what he knew how to do best—communicate with paintings. His hands moved swiftly on the board.
Everyone leaned in, eagerness marking their foreheads. A stern stare from either of the bodyguards sets them straight each time.
Alfonso was quiet and expectant. The question was made out of genuine curiosity rather than mere ego. The truth no one knew about Alfonso was that he never knew the meaning of success. He was lucky enough to have parents who sacrificed for his well-being.
He didn't know what it felt like to work for wealth. He wanted to hear it from someone wise and nonjudgmental. Mr. Braun checked all the boxes for quality requirements on the list.
After two hours, Mr. Braun stepped back from the canvas, revealing his artwork. Alfonso rose to his feet, walking up to the drawing.
"What's this?" He hollered in annoyance. He felt played and insulted.
On the canvas, a withered tree stood stark naked and alone. The painting triggered Alfonso's anger.
Perhaps he was too practical to understand.
"I didn't ask you to draw your family tree, old man. Do you not hear now?"
Mr. Braun put down his painting materials before facing a red-faced Alfonso.
"Of course, I heard your request the first time, and that is what I have given to you.".
Gasps escaped the onlookers' mouths involuntarily. That was the first time they ever heard Mr. Braun utter a word. Their murmurs were immediately stifled by a sharp glare from the bodyguards.
"A dead tree? Is your answer to what success is?" Hurt and pained, Alfonso asked unbelievably. He pointed at the painting dejectedly.
"That is what success looks like when you take away the achievements, Alfonso. Success is about the unseen struggles and the strength required to withstand hardships."
Mr. Braun walked around him, studying every one of his features keenly.
"If I take away all of your rings, clothes, shoes, cars, and money, Alfonso, ask yourself, what do you think would be left?"
He stopped and watched Alfonso pursue his mouth. The moment was challenging for Alfonso, as he began to see himself as homeless.
What would become of him? What does that prove?
Mr. Braun stopped right in front of him.
"WHAT WOULD BE LEFT OF YOU, ALFONSO? A man with resilience as his cloak, perseverance as a belt, and armed with potential, or a coward who would look around frantically searching for mummy and daddy?"
Alfonso locked his fists, tears pooling in his two beautiful eyes. When he decided to figure out what success meant, he forgot to ask himself if he was ready for the truth.
"You expect to see the fruits on the tree, branches flourishing with green leaves, but that tree wouldn’t remain standing to see another break of dawn if it didn’t persevere through harsh weather. That’s what people fail to understand about success.".
Mr. Braun's job was done. He walked away from the teary-eyed man and disappeared among the swarm of friendly customers waiting for him. He soon resumed his usual character, acting like he never said a word, and people respected his choice.
Alfonso was not only enlightened, but now he knew he wasn't a successful man; he was only wealthy. That day, he swore to do something for himself, even if it meant straightening things with his wife and watching his family come back together.
He wanted to be noted as successful in at least one thing before he died. Alfonso left the painter's studio ready to bring meaning into his life while facing the storm ahead head-on.
The moral lesson of the story implies that the main reason for success is the perseverance, resilience, and potential of the individual.
Measure success not by achievements but by improvement.
Thank you for reading.
This story is submitted to a writing contest:
