Although most famous for his monumental Lord of the Rings trilogy, J.R.R. Tolkien wrote a number of shorter stories throughout his life, including "Leaf by Niggle." Originally published in a 1945 issue of the Dublin Review, "Leaf by Niggle" uses light fantasy tropes to explore the cost and beauty of the creative process. It follows a middling painter called Niggle, who wants only to finish his work. However, he finds himself constantly distracted, especially by his neighbor Parish. After spending time in a surrealistic infirmary, Niggle is allowed to live within a picture as he imagines it, where he is joined by Parish.
More allegorical than Tolkein's best-known work, "Leaf by Niggle"...
