You’re surprised, to say the least. You try to find locals so that they can explain to you the reason why there is a statue of someone who looks like you. One of them says that there is a team of astronomers of the planet who look at what happens on other planets. One night, the astronomer in charge of studying Earth pointed their telescope at your country and zoomed to farest they could. They saw you, in your room, staring back, then drawing the beautiful landscapes of their country. Of course, they explain, telescopes on Earth aren’t powerful nor precise enough yet for you to do the same and see planet K-95z inhabitants’ in detail, but here they have that kind of technology. The alien astronomer took pictures with their telescope. You learn that not only there is a statue in your honor, but there is an art exhibit of pictures of your paintings, and you’re right in time for the opening.
You are nervous, at best, terrified, at worst. You”re standing in the crowd, near the aliens art critics and art lovers who came to the gallery. A giant picture of that landscape you painted last year is the masterpiece of the showcase.
“We have the honor and the luck to have with us tonight, the one and only human artist who painted this work” says the curator. “And now, a few words from the artist themselves, if you may join me.”
People look at you, astonished. If you would have known, you would have put on better clothes on you before leaving Earth in your spaceship.
“Thank you.” you say. “I remember staring at the satrs when I was a child, and then I discovered the planets through my telescope. And of all the planets, K-95z was the most beautiful to me. So beautiful that I enjoyed painting the landscapes, the planet from afar, the things I imagined were on it.”
The crowd claps enthusiastically. You feel gifted. After the opening, you ask the curator “How come the timing was so perfect ?”
“We saw you coming in your spaceship, we knew you would land today. Our people like you. We don’t understand why you like our planet so much, but we appreciate it. There were also some other foreigners in the crowd. They asked if you could paint their planet too, I have invitations for you. They want you to come over to their planet for artist’s residencies.” The curator hands you a few letters. You can’t read all the languages, but someone kindly translated them.
You stay for two more days more interesting than ever, and come back to your spaceship full of new images to paint in mind. You never thought you would become an intergalactic painter, but it seems that your next destination is planet P-673b for the next week. A patron is interested in your terrestrial technique and would like to buy you a piece of work representing their land.
Before leaving, the curator who insisted on walking you to your Convertible 2300. They said right before you leave “It is nice that you see the beauty that lies away, but don’t forget the beauty of your own planet. We see that Earth is sick. Please try to save it while you can. We would miss both your friendship and the beauty of your homeworld.”
You leave the planet K-95z, meditating about it. But for now, you’re traveling through the stars. Your dreams, your life and your journey are just getting started.
