Carousel carver

 He sat quietly, watching his grandpa carve a block of wood into the head of a mighty steed. With each stroke of his tools, he transformed the block, preparing it to be joined with the rest of the body. Eventually, it would make its way to the paint room, where other artists would turn the blank canvas into works of incredible beauty that only they could bring to life.

Every so often, his grandpa would glance at him, gently asking if he understood what he had just done. He nodded in response, feeling a deep affection for that place, filled with the scents of wood shavings, paint, and the relentless pursuit of perfection.

One day, he hoped to be a carver too, but for now, he remained a watcher, learning the names of each tool and their functions. He marveled as his grandpa's rough hands transformed into those of a surgeon, delicately using the smallest of tools to shape what was once just a block, guided solely by his vision of the finished product.

The day finally arrived when his grandpa handed him an apron with tools that had been passed down through generations, along with a block of wood and a confident smile. As he sat there, staring at the block, he envisioned the flared nostrils and sleek neckline of the horse he would create, complete with pinned-back ears and eyes that told the story of a great race that his horse would surely win.

He worked meticulously, pouring his heart into the detail. When he felt deep down that it was finished, he leaned back to admire his work, just like the other carvers before him. He was proud, knowing he had the skills to create a magnificent carousel horse.

For many years, he continued to carve, with his grandpa always watching over him from the workshop in the sky. His tools found their mark, and blocks of wood were transformed into creations that delighted children as they rushed to mount one of his carved horses, complete with flared nostrils and pinned-back ears, ready to race. 

Mike, 2025