same but different

Once upon a time there was a painter who had just completed  his course  under disciple hood of a great painter. This young artist  decided to assess  his skills of skills so he decided to give his best strokes  on the canvass.  He took 3 days and painted beautiful scenery.

 Suddenly an idea flashed in his mind and he decided to  display it on a busy  street-square of that small town he was resident of. He  wanted people's  opinion about his calibre and painting skills.   He put his creation at a busy street-crossing. And just  down below a board  which read-"Gentlemen, I have painted this piece.  Since I'm new to this  profession I might have committed some mistakes in my  strokes etc.. Please  put a cross wherever you see a mistake."

 While he came back in the evening to collect his painting  he was completely  shattered to see that whole canvass was filled with Xs  (crosses) and some  people had even written their comments on the painting.

 Disheartened and broken completely he ran to his  master's place and burst  into tears. Sobbing and crying inconsolably he told his  master about what  happened and showed the pathetic state of his creation  which was filled with  marks everywhere. Such was the state that colours were not  visible, only  things one could see were crosses and correction remarks.

 This young artist was breathing heavily and master heard him saying "I'm  useless and if this is what I have learnt to paint I'm  not worth becoming a  painter. People have rejected me completely. I feel like  dying"

Master smiled and suggested "My Son, I will prove that  you are a great  artist and have learnt a flawless painting." Young  disciple couldn't believe  it and said "I have lost faith in me and I don't
 think I am good enough.  Don't make false hopes..."  "Do as I say without questioning it. It WILL
 work." Master interrupted him.

 "Just paint exactly similar painting once again for me  and give it to me.  Will you do that for your master?" Master instructed.

 Young artist reluctantly agreed and two days later early  morning he  presented a replica of his earlier painting to his master.  Master took that  gracefully and smiled.  "Come with me." master said.

 They reached the same street-square early morning and  displayed the same  painting exactly at the same place. Now master took out  another board which  read -"Gentlemen, I have painted this piece. Since  I'm new to this  profession I might have committed some mistakes in my
 strokes etc. I have  put a box with colours and brushes just below. Please do a  favour. If you see
 a mistake, kindly pick up the brush and correct it."

 Master and disciple  walked back home.

 They both visited the place same evening. Young painter was  surprised to  see that actually there was not a single correction done so  far. But master  wasn't satisfied as yet and he told his disciple "May be one day was too  little a time for people to come up with ideas and take out
 time out of  their busy schedules to correct it so let us keep it here  for one more day. Tomorrow is Sunday, so we can expect some corrections  coming in."

  Next day again they visited and found painting remained  untouched. They say  the painting was kept there for a month for no correction  came in!
 
"It is easier to criticise, but difficult to improve. If  you want to help  people improve their  behaviour it is worth investing your  effort in learning  how help people change their behaviours, attitudes and  skills"