(submitted by Scott Hembree 23 Jan 1998 <[email protected]>)
Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son,
shared a passion for art collecting. Together they travelled around
the world, adding only the finest art treasures 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, 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
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 hands. 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 of how the man's son had told
everyone of his, not to mention his father's, love of fine art. "I am
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 worth
of art. His task completed, the old man sat in his chair and 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.
As the stories of his son's gallantry continued to reach him, fatherly pride
and satisfaction began to ease his grief. The painting of his son soon
became his most prized possession, 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 received.
The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art
world was in anticipation, that with the collector's passing, and his only
son dead, those paintings would be sold at 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 the 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 hope to 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, but the room was silent.
"Who will open the bidding with $100?," he asked. Minutes passed, and no one
spoke. From the back of the room came a voice, "Who cares about that
painting? It's just a picture of his son." "Let's forget
about it and move 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 neighbor 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 gavel fell.
Cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed, "Now we can get on with it and
we can bid on the real treasures!" The auctioneer looked at the
audience and announced that 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 old guy's
son. What about all of these paintings? There are millions of
dollars worth of art here! I demand that you explain what is going
on!"
The auctioneer replied, "It's very simple. According to the will of
the father, whoever takes the son... gets it all."
AMEN!
Copied from Tea & Coffee Blessings.
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