Nicholas and the Sage Monkey

    By Josué Juaspuezán

    Nicholas and the Sage Monkey cover image

    20 Mar, 2024

    a painting of a man with a blue shirt and a mountain in the background with trees and bushes on the side, pre-raphaelitism, a photorealistic painting, Andrew Henderson, pre - raphaelite

    Nicolás was a young man living in a quaint village nestled between rolling hills and lush forests. He was known for his kind heart and adventurous spirit. Yet, despite his best efforts, he constantly found himself lost in a sea of uncertainty about his future.

    a painting of a monkey sitting on a log in the forest with another monkey in the background looking at him, sumatraism, a watercolor painting, Alex Petruk APe, in gouache detailed paintings

    One bright morning, Nicolás wandered through the woods. He stumbled upon a clearing where he found a wise-looking monkey sitting atop a moss-covered rock, its eyes gleaming with intelligence.

    a man holding a monkey in a jungle with trees and plants behind him and a painting of a man in the background, primitivism, a photorealistic painting, Aaron Jasinski, promotional image

    Intrigued, Nicholas approached the monkey cautiously. "Hello there," he greeted, surprised to find an animal capable of understanding him. The monkey nodded in response, its expression serene yet knowing.

    a man kneeling down next to a monkey in the forest with a cigarette in his mouth and a cigarette in his mouth, primitivism, an illustration of, Alex Petruk APe, official art

    "I'm Nicolás," he introduced himself, feeling a strange sense of familiarity in the monkey's presence. "And I am Wisely," the monkey replied in flawless English, much to Nicholas's amazement.

    a painting of a man holding a monkey in his hand and a tree in the background with leaves on it, figurative art, a fine art painting, F Scott Hess, realistic portrait

    Nicolás confessed to Wisely about his struggles to find his true path in life. Wisely studied Nicholas with keen eyes before speaking again. "Perhaps I can offer you some insight, Nicholas," he said.

    a man is sitting next to a monkey and holding a cigarette in his hand and looking at it with a serious look on his face, figurative art, a watercolor painting, F. Scott Hess, award winning art

    Wisely asked Nicholas about his dreams and what he hoped to achieve. After some thought, Nicholas replied, "I've always wanted to make a difference, to leave my mark on the world. But I don't know how."

    a painting of a man holding a monkey in front of a bookcase with books on it's shelves, academic art, a watercolor painting, Aaron Jasinski, in gouache detailed paintings

    Wisely nodded thoughtfully. "Ah, the pursuit of purpose. It is a noble quest, but one that requires patience and perseverance. Have you ever heard of 'carpe diem'?" he asked.

    a painting of a man sitting at a desk with a book and pen in his hand and a bookcase behind him, academic art, a watercolor painting, Augustus Dunbier, realistic portrait

    Nicolás furrowed his brow, trying to recall where he had heard the phrase before. "Seize the day," he murmured, the words resonating with him. But he wondered what it truly meant.

    a painting of two men sitting at a table in front of a bookcase with books on it and a glass of wine, primitivism, a painting, F. Scott Hess, official art

    Wisely explained the concept of 'carpe diem' to Nicolás. "It means embracing the present moment, seizing every opportunity that comes your way," he said. "If you wish to shape your destiny, you must first learn to appreciate the journey."

    a painting of a man sitting next to a monkey in the woods with trees in the background and a forest scene behind him, figurative art, a fine art painting, F Scott Hess, official art

    Nicolás listened intently, his heart swelling with newfound understanding. He asked Wisely how he could seize the day and embrace change. Wisely smiled knowingly at Nicholas's question.

    a painting of a man standing in the woods with two monkeys on his shoulders and a monkey on his shoulder, figurative art, an oil on canvas painting, David Park, official art

    Wisely advised Nicolás to face his fears head-on and to see every obstacle as an opportunity in disguise. It was the way one responded to challenges that truly defined them, he explained.

    a painting of a man holding a monkey in a forest with trees in the background and a sky background, primitivism, a watercolor painting, Aaron Jasinski, in gouache detailed paintings

    With Wisely's guidance, Nicolás embarked on a journey of self-discovery, determined to seize the day and carve out his own destiny. He felt a renewed sense of purpose and direction.

    a painting of a man holding a monkey in his arms and a mountain landscape in the background with a river and mountains, figurative art, an oil on canvas painting, Colin Middleton, extremely detailed oil painting

    As Nicolás ventured forth, he encountered various trials and tribulations. But with each setback, he grew stronger and more resilient. His experiences started to shape his character.

    a painting of a man with curly hair and blue eyes wearing a brown jacket and blue shirt with a yellow and orange background, figurative art, a watercolor painting, Andrew Henderson, watercolor

    One day, Nicolás found himself in a situation where his courage was tested. He was fearful, but he remembered Wisely's words and confronted his fear head-on, turning the situation into an opportunity.

    a monkey with a blue shirt holding a plant in his hand and a painting of a man in the background, figurative art, a watercolor painting, Alex Petruk APe, watercolor

    With time, Nicolás started to notice a significant change in himself. He had become more confident and assertive. He was no longer the lost soul he once was; he had found his purpose.

    a painting of a man with curly hair and a blue shirt and brown jacket, with trees in the background, figurative art, a watercolor painting, David Brewster, photorealistic portrait

    Nicolás returned to Wisely, his heart filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Wisely," he said. "You have taught me more than I could have ever learned on my own. I am ready to face whatever comes my way."

    two men are holding a monkey in a forest with trees in the background and a painting of them in the foreground, naturalism, a painting, F Scott Hess, official art

    Wisely looked at Nicolás with pride. "Remember, Nicolás, life is not a destination, but a journey. Continue to seize each day, and you will surely make your mark on the world," he said.

    a painting of a man in a blue shirt and jeans in a forest with trees and leaves on the ground, figurative art, a photorealistic painting, Aaron Jasinski, extremely detailed oil painting

    Nicolás left the clearing with a determined stride, ready to seize the day. He was no longer afraid of the unknown. He had found his purpose and was ready to make a difference in the world.

    a painting of a man with curly hair and blue shirt on a green background with trees and leaves behind him, figurative art, a watercolor painting, Cedric Seaut (Keos Masons), watercolor

    As the seasons changed and the years passed, Nicolás blossomed into a confident and purposeful young man. He was a beacon of hope and inspiration for those around him, guiding them through their own journeys of self-discovery.

    a painting of a monkey sitting on a rock in the woods with a man in a blue jacket and red shirt, figurative art, a fine art painting, Eddie Mendoza, highly detailed oil painting

    Wisely, from his perch on the mossy rock, watched as Nicolás journeyed on. He was proud of the man Nicolás had become. In his heart, he knew that Nicolás would continue to seize the day, leaving a lasting impact on the world.

    a painting of a man walking down a dirt road in front of a sunset and trees with leaves on it, american scene painting, a detailed painting, David Brewster, promotional image

    Nicolás story serves as a powerful reminder that we are the masters of our own destiny. With courage, perseverance, and a little help from unexpected sources, we can find our purpose and make our mark on the world.

    Nicholas and the Sage Monkey