Once there was a Father and
son, who were very close and enjoyed adding valuable art pieces to
their collection. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and
many others adorned the walls of the family estate.
The widowed, elder man looked
on with satisfaction, as his only child became an experienced art
collector. The son's trained eye and sharp business mind caused his
father to beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors around the
world. As winter approached, war engulfed the nation and the
young man left to serve his country.
After only a few short weeks,
his father received a telegram, his beloved son was missing in action.
The art collector anxiously awaited more news fearing he would never see
his son again. Within days, his fears were confirmed. The young
man had died while rushing a fellow soldier to a medic.
Distraught and lonely, the old
man faced the upcoming Christmas holidays with anguish and sadness.
The joy of the season, a season that he and his son had so looked forward
to, would visit his house no longer. On Christmas morning, a knock on the
door awakened the depressed old man. As he opened the door, he was greeted
by a soldier with a large package in his hand. He introduced himself
to the man by saying, "I was a friend of your son. I was the one
he was rescuing when he died. May I come in for a few moments?
I have something to show you." As the two began to talk, the soldier
told him how the man's son had told everyone of his, not to mention his
father's, love of fine art. "I'm an artist," said the soldier, "and
I want to give you this."
As the old man unwrapped the
package, the paper gave way to reveal a portrait of the man's son.
Though the world would never consider it the work of a genius, the painting
featured the young man's face, in striking detail. Overcome with
emotion, the man thanked the soldier, promising to hang the picture above
the fireplace. A few hours later, after the soldier had departed,
the old man set about his task. True to his word, the painting went
above the fireplace, pushing aside thousands of dollars of paintings. He
spent Christmas gazing at the gift he had been given. During the days and
weeks that followed, the man realized that even though his son was no longer
with him, the boy's life would live on, because of those he had touched.
He would soon learn that his son had rescued dozens of wounded soldiers,
before a bullet stilled his caring heart. The painting of his
son soon became his most prized possession. He told his neighbors
it was the greatest gift he had ever received.
The following spring, the old
man became ill and passed away. The art world was in anticipation!
Unmindful of the story of the man's only son, but in his honor, those paintings
would be sold at an auction. According to the will of the old man, all
of the art works would be auctioned on Christmas Day, the day he had received
his greatest gift. The day soon arrived and art collectors from around
the world, gathered to bid on some of the world's most spectacular paintings.
Dreams would be fulfilled this day; greatness would be achieved as
many would claim, "I have the greatest collection."
The auction began with a painting
that was not on any museum's list. It was the painting of the man's
son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid.
"Who will open the bidding with
$100?" he asked. Minutes passed. No one spoke. From the back
of the room came, "Who cares about that painting? It's just a picture of
his son. Let's forget it and go on to the good stuff." More voices
echoed in agreement. "No, we have to sell this one first,"
replied the auctioneer. "Now, who will take the son?"
Finally, a friend of the old
man spoke. "Will you take ten dollars for the painting? That's
all I have. I knew the boy, so I'd like to have it."
"I have ten dollars."
"Will anyone go higher?" called the auctioneer. After more silence,
the auctioneer said, "Going once, going twice. Gone." The gavelfell.
Cheers filled the room and someone
exclaimed, "Now we can get on with it and we can bid on these treasures!"
The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced the auction was over.
Stunned disbelief quieted the
room. Someone spoke up and asked, "What do you mean it's over?
We didn't come here for a picture of some guy's son. What about all of
these paintings? There are millions of dollars of art here!
I demand that you explain what's going on here!"
The auctioneer replied, "It's
very simple. According to the will of the father, whoever takes the
son...gets it all."
Puts things into perspective,
doesn't it? Just as those art collectors discovered on that Christmas
Day, the message is still the same: the love of a Father, a Father whose
greatest joy came from his son, who went away and gave his life rescuing
others. And because of that Father's love, whoever takes the
Son, gets it all.
~Author Unknown
