the son

a wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had every thing in their collection form picasso to renoir. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.   When the vitnam conflict broke out the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing anther soldier. the father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.   about a month later, just before christmas there was a knock at the door. a young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said sir you dont know me but i am the soldier for whom your son gave his life.  He saved many lives that day and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly.  he often talked about you and your love for art the young man held out his package. i know this isnt much. i'm not not really a great artist, but i think you son would have wanted you to have this.   the father opened the package. it was a portait of his son painted by the young soldier. he stared in at the way the soldier had captured the personality of hsi son in the painting.  the father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up wiht tears. he thanked the young mand and offered to pay him for the picture. oh on sir. i could never repay what your son did for me. its a gift.     the father hung th portrait over his mantle. evey time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected. the man died a few years later. there was to be great auction of his paintings. many influential people gathered excited over seeing the great paintings and haveing an opportunity to purchase one for their coolection. on the platform sat the painting of the son.  the auctioneer pounded his gavel. we will start the bidding wiht this picture of the son. who will bid for this picture.   There was silence. the a boice in the back of the room shooted. we want to see the famous paintings. skip this one. buth the auctioneer persisted will someone bid for this painting? who will start the bidding? 100,500?   Another voice shouted angrily. we didnt come tot see this painting. we came to se the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. get on wiht the real bids! but stil the auctioneer continued. the son! wholl take the son?   Finally a boice came from the very back of the room. it was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. i knew this boy and i loved him. ill give $10 for the painting for it is all that i have.   We have $10 who will bit more? the crowd was becoming angry. they didnt want the picture of the son. they wanted the more worthy investments for there collections the auctioneer pounded the gavel.going once twice sold for $10.   a man sitting on the second row shouted. now lets get on wiht e collection! the auctioneer laid down his gavel. im sorry the auction is over.   What aboutt eh paintings? shouted the crowd. the auctionner replied im sorry.  when i was called to conduct this auction i was told of a secret stipulation in the will. i was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. only the painting of th eson would be auctioned. whoever bought that paointing would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. the man who  took the son gets everything.   god gave his son 2000 years ago to die on a cruel cross. much like th eauctioneer his message today is the son wholl take the son? because you see whoever thakes the son gets everything. Written December 17th, 2001 © on Dec 17 2001 02:32 AM PST   0 • 1 • 13