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A Boy's Freedom to Experiment

FADE IN:

INT: A SCHOOL FILLED WITH KIDS BUSY DRAWING WITH A TEACHER LOOKING OVER THEM - EVENING (CIRCA 1989)

Flashback: 

A four or five year old boy was asked to draw a picture of three trees that filled up the space. It was supposed to include a mango tree, an apple tree and a plum tree. The teacher didn't ask the boy to follow any instructions; just be free.

The boy drew a picture with two trees and a man with a pointy red had standing nonchalantly between the trees. The audacity didn't end up there; the picture he drew included two apple trees. Probably mango and plum were not favourite. That wasn't the end of "experimentation" either; the fruits of the second tree were slightly triangular in shape! The boy is happy with the outcome.

Present Day:

The boy is now a twenty-nine or thirty year old man. He decides to "create" a poem so he can play with the words for fun. He sets a goal to write a poem; however this time around no one is asking for an outcome from man. He is free to experiment.

The man allows his mind to wander around for a few minutes. An idea comes tumbling down like the early stages of an avalanche. The idea sounds lovely. However before the idea is given a chance to come out in the world a voice in the mind shuts it down. The reason is: the idea sounds silly and a chance exists that others would probably hate it! The man is feeling lost with no tangible result.

What has changed from then and now?

FADE OUT

THE END

If you want creative workers, give them enough time to play.
John Cleese
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