Theodor was simply forgotten. Left behind in the manila folder. Unseen, unheard and not even with a face, he waited in the dark. Now he has a face. The artist went to great lengths, erased X times and started again. But Theodor's beautiful leopard face wouldn't show.
Exasperated by his own inadequacy to do Theodor justice, the artist gave up in frustration. But Theodor is not a perfectionist, he can now happily make contact with the world.