The Painting......
Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted son,
shared a passion for art collecting. Together they traveled 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 -- 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 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. The soldier 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 every one 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 his own 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 task. True to his
word, the painting went above the fireplace, pushing aside thousands of
dollars of paintings. Then the 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 the 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. With the collector's passing, and
his only son dead, those paintings would be sold at an auction.
According to the will of the old man all of the 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 word'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. 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
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 gravel fell. Cheers filled the room and someone
exclaimed, Now we can get on with it and 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 old guy's son. What about all 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
