Emma's Rug

A book written, and illustrated by Allen Say. When Emma was a baby, she had a rug by her crib. She loved the rug when she was bigger. She would carry it around with her wherever she went. When she got even bigger, she just stared at it for long periods of time.

As Emma grew even bigger, she began to draw and paint. She painted things that surprised her parents. They did not know where she had seen the objects she painted. Then her pictures were sent to competitions, and she was winning all kinds of trophies, and medals.

However, one day, her mom took her rug and washed it. When Emma knew what her mom did, she was furious. She began to lose interest in drawing. She threw all her paintings, and stuff related to painting away! Then, she found her imagination was still alive even though the rug had been washed. Her inspiration lived on, without her rug! She resumed painting.

Like a lot of things - memories, faith...Emma thought her inspiration was washed away because the rug was washed. Her inspiration might have started with the rug, but she did not realise her inspiration lived in her, and not in a tangible thing like the rug. Very often, we think we need pictures to preserve our memory of our loved ones, but soon we realise we are able to relive our memories in our minds, without the help of pictures.