The Painting
Author Unknown
"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."...
Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his
devoted young 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 round 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. 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 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 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.
And 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
way. 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 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. 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 gavel fell.
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 old 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."
