Painting your feelings

Last night Todd told me about an activity he does at school-- the kids are given art supplies and free reign to "paint whatever you're feeling". I wonder if any kids have gotten a serious scrutinizing for drawing overly macabre pictures ;-)

Anyway, Todd described his most recent painting to me:

"I painted a rainbow..."
(Oh, how cute-- colorful rainbows = cheerful!)

"... and a heart..."
(how sweet!)

"... and then I covered it with black paint."
(!?!?!?)

Slightly concerned, I asked him why the black paint, and this was his reply:

"The heart was for Valentine's Day. Then Valentine's Day is over, and it was nighttime and I closed my eyes and went to bed!"

Oh. How simple. Why do grownups read all sorts of things into kids' literal interpretations of their worlds? :-P