Chasing the Sun

Noor was born in a small village where the sun seemed to shine a little brighter, and the sky stretched out endlessly over the green fields. From a young age, she was different. While other children were content with playing in the streets and learning what was taught in school, Noor had big dreams. She wanted to be more than what the village could offer, more than what the world had expected of her.

Her family, loving but conservative, had always hoped she would grow up to be a teacher, or perhaps marry a good man from the village and lead a simple life. But Noor felt an inner fire, a desire to break free and explore a world beyond the familiar fields. She dreamed of becoming an artist—a painter who could capture the beauty of life on canvas. Yet, living in a place where opportunities for women were limited, Noor knew that her dreams would be met with resistance.

Her father, a hardworking farmer, was the first to voice his concerns. “Noor, you are wasting your time with these fantasies. A girl like you should focus on more practical things. You need to learn to take care of the house, help your mother, and one day, be a good wife.”

Noor’s heart ached as she heard those words. She loved her family dearly, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was meant for something more. She would often sit by the window, gazing out at the distant mountains, dreaming of a life where she could create, express herself, and be free.

One evening, as Noor sat with her mother in the kitchen, her mother noticed her distant gaze. “What’s on your mind, my dear?” she asked, placing a warm hand on Noor’s shoulder.

“I want to be an artist, Mama,” Noor confessed, her voice barely a whisper.

Her mother’s eyes softened, but there was an undertone of concern. “But how will you become one? The world is not kind to women with dreams, especially those who want to do something like painting.”

Noor felt the sting of her mother's words, but deep down, she knew she could not ignore the voice inside her. That night, after everyone had gone to bed, she picked up a small paintbrush her father had used in his workshop, dipped it in the leftover paint from a project, and began to paint on a scrap of old cloth.

The first painting she ever made was a simple one—a landscape of the village, with its fields, the distant mountains, and the sky that stretched endlessly. It wasn’t perfect, but to Noor, it was everything. It was a piece of her soul, captured on that cloth. From that moment on, she painted whenever she could—hiding her work, practicing in secret, determined to improve.

As months passed, Noor’s skill grew. She learned to mix colors, experiment with different brushes, and capture the world in ways she had never thought possible. But her passion came with its challenges. The village continued to push her into roles that were not her own, and she often faced harsh criticism for defying tradition. “What use is your painting?” some would say. “You should focus on what matters.”

Despite the harsh words, Noor pressed on, refusing to let the opinions of others dictate her path. She would take long walks through the fields, capturing scenes of nature with her eyes and with her paintbrush. With each stroke, her spirit soared.

Then, one day, an opportunity came that would change her life forever. A traveling artist visited the village to showcase his work and offer a workshop for aspiring artists. Noor heard about it from a neighbor and felt her heart race with excitement. This could be her chance—her chance to learn from someone who truly understood the art she loved.

With courage she didn’t know she had, Noor told her father that she wanted to attend the workshop. His response was firm: “No, you can’t go. It’s too far, and you’ll waste your time.”

But Noor was not ready to give up. She found a way to convince her father, promising that she would return after the workshop and help him with the farm. After much pleading, he reluctantly agreed, though he still didn’t believe it would lead to anything.

The workshop was held in a nearby city, and when Noor arrived, she was both nervous and thrilled. The moment she stepped into the room full of people, she felt out of place. The other students were experienced, some even older than her, and many had already developed their unique styles. But as the days passed, Noor learned from the artist—his techniques, his perspective, and the way he saw beauty in the smallest details. She soaked up everything like a sponge, practicing late into the night.

One evening, after a long day of lessons, the artist approached Noor and looked at her paintings. He studied her work, then turned to her with a smile. “You have something special,” he said. “You see the world in a way most people don’t. Keep painting, Noor. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

Those words were like a spark to Noor’s heart. She knew, without a doubt, that she was on the right path. Her dream was no longer just a dream—it was becoming her reality.

Years went by, and Noor continued to grow as an artist. She faced many challenges—criticism from those who didn’t understand her passion, financial struggles, and the pressures of being a woman in a world that didn’t always encourage female artists. But each time she fell, she rose again, stronger and more determined.

Eventually, Noor’s paintings were recognized beyond her village. She was invited to showcase her work in galleries, and people from all over came to see the girl who had once dared to chase a dream that seemed impossible. The little girl from a small village, who had painted in secret, was now a celebrated artist.

But for Noor, the true reward wasn’t fame or recognition. The true reward was knowing that she had followed her heart, defied the odds, and created a life that was hers to shape. She had proven that dreams were not bound by boundaries, and that no matter how impossible they seemed, with passion, hard work, and perseverance, they could be achieved.

And as she stood in front of one of her most cherished paintings—a piece she had created with the memory of her mother’s words in mind—Noor knew that the journey of chasing her dreams had been the most beautiful part of all.