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[hear_the_voices]

A long, long, long time ago -- months and months and months -- Anna met The Man Who Likes Cake and Pie. And he gave her a present -- a little vial of something that would make any paint she added it to the right kind of paint for painting flowers

Comments

[hear_the_voices]

"Oh, you mean like regular painting," Anna says, realization dawning.

"I do that all the time.

"And I draw, too."

[hear_the_voices]

Anna nods.

"Yes.

"And for school, sometimes."

[hear_the_voices]

Anna both assumes that Elle means "painting or drawing" (not "fun or school") and gives it some thought before she answers.

"Well, I like both, but I think I like drawing better.

"It's easier to get shapes just right and stuff like that. At least for me."

[hear_the_voices]

"It's still fun to do, no matter how good you are.

"At least, I think so."

[hear_the_voices]

Anna nods.

"Because you're practicing.

"Which helps you get better."

[hear_the_voices]

"For art.

"And sometimes you have to draw things for other classes, like pictures for a book report or things for a science fair project display."

[hear_the_voices]

Anna gives this serious consideration.

And ultimately decides, "Well, sometimes. Sometimes you do things you like, like drawing and getting to do plays and solving word problems in math and working on projects with your friends.

"And sometimes you have to do things you don't like, like taking tests and reading things that aren't interesting and . . . " Anna pauses and shudders ". . . spelling bees."