The Magic Paintbrush
10 pages · 4 min · ages 5+
Based on: Chinese Folk Tale
Ma Liang was a poor boy. He lived in a small village. He loved to draw in sand. Ma Liang did not have brushes. He used a long, thin stick. His drawings looked very real today. Everyone stopped to see his art.
One night, Ma Liang was sleeping. An Old Sage visited his dream. The Sage had a long beard. He gave Ma Liang a gift. It was a magic paintbrush today. Use this for good, he said. The Sage smiled and then vanished. Ma Liang woke up very happy.
Ma Liang painted a blue bird. The bird fluttered its soft wings. It flew right off the wall. Ma Liang felt a warm glow. His paintings were now real things. He painted a small butterfly next. It danced in the sunny air. The magic brush worked very well.
The village people were very hungry. Ma Liang wanted to help them. He painted a bowl of rice. The rice was warm and tasty. He painted many juicy red apples. The children ate the sweet fruit. Ma Liang loved to help others. It made his heart feel light.
The farmers worked very hard today. They needed better tools to work. Ma Liang painted a strong plow. He painted a tall water wheel. Water flowed to the dry fields. The green plants grew very fast. Everyone cheered for the kind boy. Ma Liang was a generous friend.
The Emperor heard about the brush. He was a very greedy man. He wanted many rooms of gold. The Emperor sent for Ma Liang. Paint me gold, the Emperor said. He wanted to keep it all. Ma Liang thought of a plan. He was a very clever boy.
Ma Liang did not paint gold. He painted a tiny yellow seed. The Emperor looked very puzzled now. Then Ma Liang painted more seeds. He painted a very large field. Soon, the seeds grew tall stalks. The field was full of wheat. It looked like a golden sea.
This is not gold, he cried. Ma Liang pointed to the wheat. This grain will feed your people. The Emperor saw the hungry crowd. The people were smiling and full. Gold cannot fill a hungry tummy. The Emperor looked at the field. He began to understand the truth.
The Emperor felt a new feeling. He shared the wheat with everyone. The kingdom became very happy now. Sharing made the Emperor feel good. He did not need more gold. He saw the joy in sharing. He thanked Ma Liang for teaching. The palace was full of laughter.
Ma Liang went back home now. He sat with the village children. He gave them small wooden brushes. He taught them how to paint. They painted flowers and bright suns. The world was full of color. They shared their art with everyone. The magic was in their hearts.