All his life, he had known only one thing – go big or go home. In elementary school, he created the biggest piece of artwork, folded the largest paper crane, and even attempted to bring his teacher the largest gift he could find. Fast forward, he graduated college with a degree in fine arts and an aspiration to become the next Michelanglo – to create the most magnificent sculpture that would be viewed by passerby.

He soon received a grant from the city to commission him to create a sculpture of one of its great leaders. “I will create the greatest sculpture this city has ever seen.” He promised.

He soon chose his material – cooper. No one knew why nor did anyone question his choice. He got to work and before the year was out, he had finished sculpting the head. “Excellent,” the mayor said when he came to view the work-in-progress, “beautiful,” he remarked. “Now, how much more copper will you be needing to finish?”

“Um, I beg your pardon?” He thought he had an unlimited amount of resources, had he heard wrong from the get-go?

The mayor laughed an awkward laugh, “It’s just we currently have a copper shortage. We recently had to melt a bunch of pennies to get you what you needed.”

“Copper shortage.” He spoke the words slowly, like someone speaking a foreign language. “How much can you get me?” The mayor spoke a number. He mulled over for a moment, “I think it’s doable.”

Someone once told him one day, he’s going to make the biggest mistake of his life. That day was the day when the sculpture was unveiled and the mayor screamed before he fainted into the arms of his bodyguards. “Go big or go home, right?”

MindLoveMisery’s Menagerie’s Photo Challenge