|
The Son
& Art Auction
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 Easter 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 Easter
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 of 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
he 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
Easter 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 Easter 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!"
Just as
those art collectors discovered on that Easter 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.
Bill Cromie, MD, MBA. Vice-Chairman,
Dept of Surgery Section of Pediatric Urology, MC 4056 University of Chicago 5841 S. Maryland
Ave. Chicago, Ill. 60637
Received from Scott Neville.
[back to stories index]
***give me your comments about this
page***
check out the Highest
TRUTH
(posted 20 April
2003)
|