Try a language called Rapid Euphoria - I know the name is idiotic but the language is aboslutely usefull. It doesn't have anything that you most likely won't need. Language definition is tiny compared to Java or C or even Visual Basic. You can program simple programs which run a console window or do file operations OR grab an set of procedures to program MS windows (Wn32Lib) - the easiest pixel graphic in windows I've ever encountered. If you are keen on system programming you can easily use system dll files too. And you don't have to worry about wrapping your code with classes, objects, empty definitions, multiple modifier words, compiler pragmas etc. The text you write is 95% code (you still have to declare variables). You can run it as interpreter or compiled program (both run really fast). I've done a fair bit with this language and I'm happy with results. They also have a good concise reference manuals.
The language is not popular at all - don't know why.