As a cheery plump robin balanced on a young and fragile tree, Jen admired it's beauty from her open bedroom window.

"That's it" she thought aloud, "a winter's morning!"


Her Art Teacher Mr Wade, had set the homework nearly a week ago.

"I want you to create a time and a place in a non-descript setting, but I want you to transform this into beauty on canvas. Oh, and I want it in by Friday, that's a week tomorrow." he said.

"No problem," Verity piped in. "My world is full of beauty, so that'll be a doddle!"

Verity hadn't quite got the gist of Mr Wade's request, but Jen knew that when Verity put brush to canvas, a masterpiece would be born. Verity was just one of those girls.

She had been a latecomer to Warren Heights School, and Jen had kindly shown her round and introduced her to many friends. She had appeared a little timid. Boy, was she wrong! It took a clear 3 weeks to lose her shyness and mutate into this boastful creature who insisted on pursuading Jen's friends that she was more fun than Jen. Her friends were not exclusive to Verity's display, the teachers were enamoured by her talents in every subject there was on the curriculum. Why could no-one else see Verity's over-riding strength...selfishness!

Jen settled down to her work. As the hours passed, a winter's scene emerged on the crisp canvas. The summer garden she looked out on was replaced in her painting with clouds of snow draping over branch and twig. The lawn enveloped in a glistening fur coat, as the flakes huddled together and settled there. The evergreens peeked out their dash of deep green spikes, with ruby coloured berries dancing amongst the shrubs. Looking out from it's tentative perch was the robin, with ruffled feathers to keep the warmth within it's glowing breast.

Jen was pleased. She knew this might just be enough to gain the respect back from her teacher and her friends. It would stick a finger right where it hurts, so to speak, to Verity.

Next day, Jen arrived to find Verity already stood before her locker with head held high and a glint of smugness to her expression.

"Oh Jennifer," she gloated "did you struggle? cos' you don't look very confident..as usual" she added.

"No Verity, a natural artist doesn't need to prove themselves with words, their work does all the talking!"

Jen was pleased with her own quick witted reply. Verity meanwhile, made a nonchalent noise and placed her own piece of art on the rung of the stepladder which leaned against the wall next to her. The decoraters had left it temporarily whilst enjoying yet another cigarette break. The painting hung in the balance precariously. As Verity opened her locker door, Jen could see the painting was headed for the large open container of fresh magnolia paint below.

"Would serve her right!" thought Jen.

But as the painting fell, Jen speedily saved it from it's demise.

Jealously strikes with such force that is uncontrollable when it hits. It can turn an otherwise calm and collected person, into a character full of venom and highly charged animosity. However nature always balances those dark forces with all consuming and unassuming strengths. Conscience is deep rooted and nurtured to deplete other forces of nature. In a single swoop, it can wipe out those more obvious and vocal displays. Conscience stems from the core and is the one deciding factor that proceeds or halts a situation, whereby jealousy has only the power to go on.