Children's fantasy short story about a painting that changes daily as one figure in the painting is hunting down the other. 1977-1978

[Victor]

This is actually a story from Highlights Magazine from either 1977 or 1978. A kid noticed that two figures in a painting of a city were in different spots every day when he looked at it, and he figured out that one figure was chasing the other or hunting them down. One may have had a knife or gun, adding to the tension.

I've been looking for the title and/or author of this story forever now, as it was a story that really stuck with me as a kid. My next step is to just start looking for old Highlights issues on ebay, but I want to see if by some chance someone here is familiar with that story or the author to where it might be available in a book or some format I can purchase.

[Rainbowheart]

Most stories from Highlights were originals, I think, not excerpts from books.

[Victor]

Rainbowheart wrote: "Most stories from Highlights were originals, I think, not excerpts from books."

Right. I'm just trying to track down the name of the story or the author to see if that story has been republished in a collection or is available to read online somewhere.

[Rainbowheart]

If you don't have any luck here, eBay frequently sells batches of Highlights magazines. I see several lots from '77 and '78 up for sale/auction.

[Victor]

Rainbowheart wrote: "If you don't have any luck here, eBay frequently sells batches of Highlights magazines. I see several lots from '77 and '78 up for sale/auction."

Thanks. I might end up doing that if it comes to it. I've looked through the listings periodically, but I need them to post the tables of contents for the issues. I'm certain I'd recognize the title.

But I'd prefer to see if I can straight up locate a confirmed copy of the story. After buying the lot of issues, I would just end up dumping them at a Goodwill or throwing them all away once I found the story, because I'm not someone who has any interest in selling stuff on ebay or spending the time to find good homes for them otherwise. Sacrilege, I know! Especially on this site.