The competition Sadie, you're creative, said Sadie's mum, handing her the newspaper. Here's something that'll keep you busy for five minutes

Why are you giving me the crossword, Mum?" said Sadie. You know I don't like crosswords" Not that said her mum. "This

Sadie's mum pointed to a small advertisement on the same page as the crossword. Sadie read it aloud. Are you an artist? Painting competition. Free entry Open to all amateur artists. The top fifty paintings received by August 15th will be displayed at an exhibition in an art gallery in London: Sadie sat there thinking. Yeah, maybe, she said at last, but her mind was racing. August 15th, she thought to herself. "That gives me three weeks D All my friends are on holiday. But what am I going to paint?"

Sadie was too excited to sleep that night. I know I can de a good picture if I really try, she thought. An art gallery in London! Wouldn't that be great? For hours, she ran through the options. I'm not doing an abstract, that's for sure. E It's got to be something with detail. A still life picture, like a bowl of fruit? Maybe. but it's a bit boring. A landscape? I could do the view of the hill from my bedroom window. No- it's got to be something that will stand out. Something that expresses real emotion. Something that shows that I can paint As Sadie finally drifted off to sleep, she whispered the words to herself over and over again: A portrait. I'm going to paint a portrait...

Sadie got to work. She had it all planned out. Base it on a photograph. Do a sketch first. And then when she was happy with that, do the full painting. She spent hours
each day up in her room. Whenever her mum asked her how it was going all she'd say was Fine. When her mum asked her if she needed any help, all she'd say was "No thanks: When, two weeks later, the painting was finished, and Sadie's mum said 'Can I see it now? Sadie replied "Not now. I'll send it off If I don't, then it's not worth seeing, anyway

August 15th August 16th and August 17th came and went, and there was no news from the competition Judges "Don't worry, love, said Sadie's mum. You'll hear one way or the other in time. I've got my

Sadie shouted her mum, up the stairs. There's a phone call for your It was September 5th, and Sadie had convinced herself that her painting hadn't been chosen. "Who is it?" she asked as she came down the stairs. Her mum just handed her the phone
Hello, is that Sadie Taggart?" said the voice at the other and

Yes' said Sadie.

"Hi, Sadie' said the voice. Tm calling about the painting competition you entered

"We've judged all the paintings now and I'm very pleased to tell you that your painting has been selected. I was one of the judges and, I have to tell you, considering your age. I thought it was a real work of art. Very well done! I do hope you'll be able to make it to London to the exhibition

Four weeks later, Sadie and her mum were standing on the pavement outside the Shoreham

Gallery While they were standing there in silence, looking at each other, the front door opened. A man came out. I recognise you, he said to Sadie's mum, smiling

Me? But we've never met before!" said Sadie's

mum with surprise

Ah, but I've seen you before. In Sadie's picture. Yes, yes, a very good likeness. Very good indeed Do come in. Everyone's talking about Sadie's wonderful picture

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