Far away in Germany, there was a pair good friends who were called Dick and Frankie. They both wanted to pursue further studies on their dream, drawing. Unfortunately, they were poor and they lived under the poverty line. What could they do? No one could tell.
One day, when two men were wandering along the woods, an idea flashed through Frankie’s mind. He told Dick and beamed, ‘About further studies in Art, I have an idea. Shall we make a contract with each other? One of us can be able to study in the academy but another has to work in the mine and support the school fees for the one who studies?
‘That’s a good idea! But how can we choose who to study and who to work in the mine?’ Dick asked. ‘Em… Shall we toss the coin?’ asked Frankie. ‘Okay, the one who tosses the face could study and the one who tosses the value has to earn money.’ Dick smiled. Then three, two, one, off they tossed. ‘Hurray!’ Dick won game and yelled. He set his heart on drawing and went off to Italy. On the other side, Frankie went down to the risky mine and worked there.
For the next four years, Dick studied hard in the academy. He had almost reached the summit of Art, his woodcuts, etchings, oil paints and pottery were far better than most of his professors. By the time he graduated, he began to earn considerable premiums for his fabulous artworks.
When the famous artist returned to his village, Dick’s family held a great dinner to celebrate Dick’s triumphant homecoming. Frankie was also invited to join the dinner.
‘Frankie, where are you?’ Dick cried. ‘Everyone is waiting for you!’ Dick walked into the corridor. Suddenly, he was amazed. He saw that Frankie was kneeling down, holding his hands close to his right cheek, and said softly, ‘Lord, this is my turn to study Art in the academy. But please look at what four years’ working in the mine has done to my hands! My right hand has been damaged and I can’t even hold a glass! How can I draw with a pen or brush? At first, I have already known that I couldn’t draw anymore…’ When Dick heard that, his tears ran down his cheeks.
Dick quickly sketched the hands of Frankie and later, used the rough sketch to create his masterpiece, ‘The Praying Hands’. Then Dick sneaked away to have dinner.
After two years, Dick met Frankie again. He gave Frankie an envelope. When Frankie opened the envelope, he shouted, ‘Wow! How could you earn this? I can’t receive such a large sum of money!’ ‘I earn this from a painting of your praying hands. Two years before, I noticed that you were praying in the corridor…’ Dick told the long story. ‘Thanks a lot! The money can help my family!’ Frankie was touched and he hugged Dick for ages with delight. This story told us that the friend who thought for your needs and sacrifice for you is a good friend. Also, we should remember the benevolence of what our friends has done for us by heart.