A month later, the Emperor had not heard from the artist, so he sent an emissary to inquire. The artist sent back word that he was working diligently and would send word as soon as the painting was done.
Yet another month went by. Another emissary was dispatched and received the same answer.
Finally, after a third month had passed, the Emperor set out himself for the artist’s house, accompanied by many bodyguards and courtiers. When the Emperor arrived in his palanquin, he entered the artist’s house and demanded that the artist produce his painting.
Watched carefully by bodyguards, the artist set out paper, ink and brush. Over the course of 20 minutes, he executed the most perfect painting of a carp the Emperor had ever seen.
“This is most excellent,” said the Emperor, “but I am most displeased that you didn’t do this when I first asked for it.” He glared at the artist, who quaked with fear.
“May I show you something, great Emperor?” the artist asked. The Emperor grunted approval.
The artist went to his closet and opened the door. Out poured hundreds of carp paintings. Each one was good, but none so exquisite as the one now before the Emperor.
“I have only just become able to create a painting worthy to present to you, great Emperor,” said the artist.Does anyone know where this story comes from? I don’t remember where I read it.
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26 September 2007 at 1:00 PM
Incompetent
This is no real help, but I read a very similar story in”The Blank Canvas” (a book on overcoming artist block) but with a Japanese artist completing a commission of a rooster for a civilian client.
Maybe it’s a folk tale gone through several incarnations.
26 September 2007 at 3:02 PM
Vyoma
Never heard of the story before.
So - the point is - we work best under pressure? :P
29 September 2007 at 6:22 PM
Karen Beaton
there is a slightly different version of the chinese fable called “fifty thousand”. http://mickstern.com/CHINA.pdf