Growing up, I heard this story about peace. I don't know who else heard it.

A king organised an art competition in his kingdom. He wanted a painting depicting perfect peace.

His subjects set to work. The whole kingdom was alive because there was some serious prize to it.

Competition day. A lot of entries were submitted. Entries included paintings of tranquil forests, calm seas, birds soaring in sky. Someone even painted the 'scriptural' lion and lamb dwelling together.

Going through the works with aaws and aahs, admiring each genuinely, the king noticed an unusual painting.

In the painting was a fierce storm. Dark clouds poured out in vexation. Lightning bolts ripped at the sky. Heavy tides breaking on rocks. Nothing seemed peaceful.

The puzzled king summoned the creator and questioned him as to the manner of his peace piece.

The painter guided the king's eyes to a cleft in a rock, initially. Dry as a bone, was a bird in the cleft. Fully aware, totally unnerved. The king had found his painting.

I'm not here to give any interpretation to the story. Sorry if you expected one. The point of this thread is just to tell the story.