The Old Man And His Son

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
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. 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 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 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 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 museums 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.”

Puts things into perspective, doesn’t it. Just as those art
collectors discovered on the 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.