Once upon a time, in a city full of tall buildings and bright lights, there was a little artist named Alex. Their room was filled with colors and brushes, but all their papers were blank.

Alex loved to imagine wild, swirling paintings in their head. But when it came to putting the brush on paper, their hands would freeze. They were scared it wouldn't be good enough.

Every day, on the way to school, Alex walked past Mr. Peppin's Art Shop. Inside, an old man with a kind face and paint-stained hands would be working on a beautiful painting.

One day, Alex stopped to watch. Mr. Peppin noticed and beckoned Alex inside. 'I see you looking at my paintings. Do you paint?' he asked. Alex nodded shyly.

'Why don't I see your paintings?' Mr. Peppin questioned. Alex whispered, 'I'm scared to start.' The old painter chuckled. 'The hardest part is the first brush stroke,' he said.

Mr. Peppin gave Alex a special brush. 'This brush is magic. It will move if you just touch the paper. But remember, you have to start.' Alex held the brush, feeling hopeful.

The next day, Alex took a deep breath and touched the paper with the brush. To their surprise, it moved! Colors danced and shapes formed. Alex was painting, their dream coming alive!

As Alex painted, Mr. Peppin smiled from his shop window. 'The secret of getting ahead is getting started,' he whispered. With each stroke, Alex's confidence grew, and they knew it was just the beginning of their colorful journey.