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Short Stories by Ian Crichton Smith

            
             The narrator of the story begins by describing a local boy in the village who was a talented artist. The villagers were proud of his ability and bought his paintings to hang in their homes.
             The boy seemed to favour pastoral scenes of the landscape and wildlife although at times it was suggested that the villagers would like him to depict the village in a more flattering way. .
             Aside from his artistic talents the boy was different to the rest of the village because he was both beautiful and sickly and it was reckoned that he would not live long.
             The narrator then introduces another character, Red Roderick, so called because of his red hair. When sober, he is popular and well liked, seemed content with his wife and 7 kids.
             However, when he was drunk, Red Roderick's character was transformed and he became aggressive and violent. He beat his wife and picked fights. He felt that he and his wife were due some inheritance from his father-in-law - a man who in his younger days had a reputation for great strength.
             The narrator then recounts an incident in which Red Roderick under the influence of drink, confronted his father-in-law with a scythe. Soon the whole village heard the commotion and it drew a crowd.
             As the 2 men began to fight surrounded by their neighbours, the narrator became aware of the young painter who had set up his easel and was entirely focused on capturing the image in front of him of the men fighting. The narrator becomes consumed with anger and destroys the painting.
             After this incident the villagers take down his paintings.We learn later that when the boy grew up he left the village and little is known about him.
             The story ends with the narrator reflecting that he never regretted his actions. The rest of the villagers believed that he destroyed the painting to protect the reputation of the village. In truth, it was because he was afraid that the boy would capture the look of lust and enjoyment of the faces of both him and the villagers as they watched the fight.


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