Chris Van Allsburg came across the pictures of Harris Burdick through a friend, Peter Wenders. Apparently, Burdick presented the pictures with their titles and captions to Wenders in hopes that Wenders would be interested in purchasing the stories that accompanied the illustrations. Wenders was intrigued by the pictures and asked Burdick to submit the corresponding stories the next day. However, Wenders never heard from Harris Burdick again, so the "true" stories behind the pictures were never revealed.

So this is my take on one picture, found here:
.

‘If there was ever a question, you’d ask it.’

The woman took another drag on her Virginia Slims, sending the smoke back out to join the already thick summer atmosphere. She shifted uncomfortably to one side, the pink plastic of the old lawn chair sticking to the sweat on her skin. Her brown bathing suit strap inched slowly off her shoulder. A boy, not much older than six, tugged at her free hand.

‘But mommy, what’s beyond the horizon?’

A laugh choked its way through yellowed teeth and out of her mouth. Tired eyes reflected a hopeful smile. And she pushed him away.

‘Baby, why don’t you go find out?’

The sun beat down strongly against the sand as the boy marched out past the dunes toward the sound of surf, feet burning with every step. Seagulls cried and circled overhead. He paused to gingerly step over yesterday’s sandcastle, with its broken shells, falling towers, and missing fortress walls. He continued, picking his way through the long grass and crab holes until he caught sight of a red shirt. A younger boy looked up and smiled in familiarity. His attention quickly went back to the toy train attached to his hand, which he was attempting to drive through the sand. Miniature tracks led to the ocean.

The boy knelt and took the hand of his little brother, who followed without hesitation. They waded until the incoming tide had covered their ankles. The elder set of eyes followed the white haze where sea met sky, and beyond.

‘If there was an answer, he’d find it there.’