Once there was a Father and son who were very close & enjoyed adding
valuable art pieces to thier art 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 prideas 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
recieved a telegram. His 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 died while rushing a fellow soldier to a medic.
Distrsaught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Christmas
holidays with anguish & sadness. The joy of the season, a season that he
& 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 walked to the door, the masterpieces of art on the walls
only reminded him that his son was not coming home.
As he opened the door, he was greeted by a soldier with a large
package in his hand. He introduced himslef 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 of how the man's son had told everyone of
his, not to mention his father's, love for 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 left, the old man set about
his task. True to his word, the painting went above the fireplace,
pushing aside thousands of dollars of paintings. And then the old man
sat in his chair and spent Christmas gazing at the gift that 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 touched. He would soon learn that his son had
resuced dozens of wounded soldiers before a bullet stilled his beating heart.
As the stories his son's gallantry continued to reach him,
fatherlypride and satisfaction began to ease the grief. The painting of
his son soon became his most prized possesion, far eclipsing any interest
in the pieces for which museums around the world clamored. He told his
neighbors it was the greatest gift he had ever recieved.
The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away.
The art world was in anticipation! Inmindful of the story of the man's
only son, but in in his honor; those paintings would be sold at an
auction on Christmas day, the day he had recieved 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 calim, "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. The room was silent. "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 $10 for the painting?
That's all I have. i knew the boy, so I would 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 gavel fell. Cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed,
"Now we can get on with it & we can bid on these treasures!"
The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced the auction
was over. Stunned bisbelief 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 old guys son. What about all of these paintings? There are
millions of dollars of art here! I demand 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... get's it all.!
Put's things into perspective, doesn't it? Just as those art
collectors discovered on that Christmas day, the message is still the
same: the love 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, get's it all.
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