Cora and the very serious portrait

Read the complete story

A portrait with a surprise

Cora has a very serious portrait to sit for. A curious ear, a sunny mat and an interrupted drawing turn it into a different kind of picture. Enjoy this original GroomNear dog story, narrated by George, then read the complete story below.

The story

Cora was ready for her portrait. Her left ear was not.

She sat on the ivory mat while her person lifted a pencil. Chin up. Paws together. A very serious face. For three whole seconds, everything was perfect.

Then a small sound came from the open window. Cora's ear tipped sideways. Her nose followed. The pencil stopped. Outside, a little sparrow landed on an empty flowerpot, gave one bright chirp, and flew away.

Cora looked back. Her person looked at the paper. There was a neat pair of paws, a fine white chest, and rather a lot of empty space where a head ought to be.

They tried again. Cora sat a little taller. Her person drew a little faster. This time, a sunbeam crept across the mat. Cora blinked. Her eyes grew soft. Slowly, very slowly, her chin began to sink.

The pencil stopped again. Cora opened one eye, as if the problem had plainly been the pencil all along.

Her person lowered the sketchbook. No more careful posing. They moved the mat beside the low table, where Cora could stretch out and watch the garden. She turned once, settled down, and rested her chin across one white paw.

A gentle breeze lifted the edge of the paper. Cora looked up. One ear stood neatly. The other leaned sideways. Her head tilted, and her person began to draw.

This time, the pencil did not stop. It followed the crooked ear, the soft eyes, and the paw tucked under her chin. Cora watched for a moment. Then she let out a small, comfortable sigh.

Later, the finished picture stood on the table. It wasn't the very serious portrait they had planned. It was something better: a little moment that looked exactly like Cora.

Cora gave it one brief sniff. Then she returned to her mat. Being herself had been quite enough work for one afternoon.