Guernica

I am a very, very big painting. If you stood next to me, you would feel so small! My colors are not bright like a rainbow. I am black, and I am white, and I am gray like a soft cloud. Look close, can you see my friends? There is a strong bull and a horse with a long face. And look, a tiny flower is growing, so brave and small. I am a painting called Guernica, and I have a big story to tell you.

An artist named Pablo Picasso made me a long, long time ago, in the year 1937. Pablo was feeling very sad in his heart. In a little town, some people were not being kind to each other, and it made people and animals feel scared. This gave Pablo big, sad feelings. So, he took his brush and his paint, and he painted me. He painted the horse and the bull to show how everyone felt. He painted me to make a big wish. He wished for everyone to be friends again and for the world to be peaceful and happy.

When people look at me, they can feel the big, sad feelings. But I am not here to make you sad. I am here to be a reminder. I am a quiet whisper that says, 'Please be kind.' I traveled to many places to share my whisper for peace. Now, when you look at me, you can think about being a good friend. My black and white and gray colors hold a secret. They hold a big, beautiful wish for a world full of sunshine and gentle hands.