The Mother He Knew by B. P. Peeters

Nicholas, an energetic boy of six, becomes obsessed with a painting that hangs in the house of two old ladies he's never met before. There's no obvious reason why the peaceful looking painting of two people in a rowing boat should upset him. So why is he overwhelmed with emotions?

For readers fascinated with reincarnation, this bittersweet short story touches delicately on the subject of the soul's journey through time.