Reflection on J.R. Tolkien's short story "Leaf by Niggle" by Calvin Griffith

At the end of Tolkien's short book "Tree and Leaf," where he laid out his views on fairy tales and their value, he includes a short story he wrote entitled "Leaf by Niggle." This is a story about a man who loves to paint, but who continually finds himself bothered by other people who need his help. Niggle, the aforementioned painter, is too kind hearted of a man to turn people away, but he truly desires to be left to his art. Niggle finds himself working on a continually growing painting to which he desires to devote all of his time. He finds himself more interested in painting individual leaves in fine detail than in painting the tree they belong to. Thus, Niggle is never able to finish his painting to the degree that he would like. It is always expanding and growing, and more detail is being added. Eventually, he is forced to leave his home by the government, some sort of communist regime I imagine, and do work such as ditch digging and carpentry. After what seems like an eternity to Niggle, he is released, along with his pesky neighbor, and both of them are sent to a wonderful place in the wilderness. As Niggle explores more, he finds this place to be the painting he was working on before he left. With his neighbors help, Niggle is able to finish his painting in person, by constructing a house and garden and living in his painting. His neighbor, upon finding out that Niggle imagined all of this, finally appreciates his art, and Niggle learns to manage his time and not feel bothered by his neighbor's needs. The story ends with both of them completing Niggle's painting together and then walking off into the mountains, to start something new. Then it flashes back to the town Niggle left originally and we see the townspeople discussing Niggle and his painting. One appreciates it, while the other ones think it was a waste of time. Eventually, Niggle and his painting are forgotten about altogether.
I think that Tolkien's purpose for writing this short tale (if I may be so bold as to guess) was to show the importance of art, and in this context, of fairy tales. Niggle's artwork was something that should have been appreciated. It helped both him and his neighbor, and anyone else who might have come in contact with it, to learn things about themselves and about life. So too with fairy tales in Tolkien's opinion. Such stories are well worth a read because much has been invested in them and much can be gained from investing oneself in them. I was quite intrigued by this short story. I think it got the point across.