When the battle ended, the shirkers were gathered before the victorious commander.
These were the men who had run, hidden or found something else to do as the battle raged.
As punishment, they were led in chains to the boulder rock on the edge of the stream and put to work.
They were to stay there, day and night each with a piece of course rock and rub the boulder until each man dropped from either exhaustion or death.
Carstairs being the greatest of all shirkers organised the men into teams to rub at certain spots until he saw the shape emerging.
Being artistic of mind, Carstairs saw the pursuit of art as far more engaging activity than running at an enemy and inviting death upon oneself.
Over time the men began to appreciate what was happening. Some men from previous shirking campaigns even praised Carstairs as a man of vision, deluded yes, but a man of vision.
The sculpture took shape, each man took ownership of his section, and by the end of the first year they had something they were proud of, a potential bath when it rained, and let’s be honest they each needed a good wash every so often, and future shirking shelter.
Written for: https://scvincent.com/2018/03/22/thursday-photo-prompt-carved-writephoto/
Morpethroad 
Shirking shelter. I like the concept.
Thanks so much
That explains the mystery of the stone perfectly, Michael 😉
Thanks Sue, glad to clear that up
🙂
Carstairs is a smart man 😀
I’m pleased you could see that Lyn
Carstairs is a genius Michael.
Or a complete idiot.
Ha!
the le bain
I’m sure it came in handy.
Ah, a great piece, Michael. I enjoyed it.
Thanks so much robbie.
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Brilliant, there is alwaysa visionary!💜
Thanks willow, hope you are doing well today.
I am improving, not been well but on the mend thanks, how are you.💜
Good we are both on the mend willow. I had some foot surgery a week or so back and recovery is slow. But I’m optimistic.
That is good news. I hope your recovery continues steadily. Don’t rush things patience and perseverance always wins out.💜
Yes well willow I don’t have a lot of patience at present, though not exercising patience does have its down side.
Yes it makes you hopping mad! 😀
Well I wish the ‘hopping’ bit was true…lol
Lol I thought you might!
My kids were on at me to give it time…..but you see I hate pain so I’m up against it if I don’t maintain a sense of recovery time and patience is part of that.
Well that is true, all I can say is you will recover! 💜💜
I can only improve.
Ingenious, although making a bit of a hole in the plot. Of course I have to crow in ‘caws’ to mention that the cause of the body of this corse was meant to be coarse.
Thanks, I think…lol…
This says so much more than just the physical artistry of the boulder itself; the choices the men made to not join in the fighting with everyone else, but to do what was right within their own consciousness regardless of the consequences. And then to take the supposed punishment and turn it into a work of art is pure genius, and a wonderful inspiration for anyone who is faced with seemingly insurmountable choices. Great job!!!
Thanks Anne for such a lovely comment. I very much appreciate you stopping by.
As someone who is a mixed media and fiber artist, I truly appreciate such wonderful imagination that goes way beyond the unexpected. Keep on doing what you do so well.
Thank you for the encouragement, I shall stick with it, only because it is a lot of fun.
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