A rich man and his son loved collecting rare works of art. They often got together to admire some magnificent masterpiece.
When the Vietnam War began, my son was drafted into the army. He proved himself to be a brave and courageous soldier and, while saving the life of another soldier, lost his own. The father was notified of the loss of his son and was deeply grieved over it.
About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock on the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said:
“Sir, you don’t know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life.” He saved many that day. While he was carrying me on his shoulders, a bullet pierced his heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you and your love for art.
The young man held out a package:
- I know it's not much. I'm not really a great artist, but I thought your son would like you to have this.
The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, drawn by a young soldier. He was deeply moved by the precision with which the soldier depicted his son's facial features. The eyes of the young man depicted in the portrait attracted him so much that he could not hold back his tears. He thanked the soldier and offered him payment for the portrait.
“Oh no sir, I can never pay for what your son did.” This is a gift.
My father hung the picture above his coat. Every time visitors came to his house, he showed them a portrait of his son, and only then the rest of his collection of paintings.
A few months later this man died. After his death there was to be a large auction of his paintings. A large number of people gathered, among whom were many noble and influential people. This was a good chance for them to purchase paintings. A painting of his son was displayed on the platform. The auctioneer struck with his gavel.
— We will start the auction with the sale of the painting “Son.” Who will give his price for it?
There was silence in the hall. Then a voice was heard from the end of the hall:
- We want to see famous paintings, skip this one.
But the presenter insisted:
- Who will give the price for this painting? Who will start, offer, two hundred, three hundred dollars?
Another irritated voice was heard:
“We didn’t come here to play at this painting, we want to see paintings by Van Gogh and Rembrandt.” We need real art!
However, the auction leader continued to insist on his proposal:
- “Son”! "Son"! Who will take "Son"?
Finally, a voice sounded from the very last rows of the auction room. It was a gardener who served this man and his son for many years.
- I'll give you ten dollars for the painting.
Being a poor man, this was all he could offer.
- We have a first offer of ten dollars, who will give twenty? - the presenter announced.
- Give him ten. We want to see masterpieces!
- Ten were offered, will anyone offer twenty?
The public began to worry and express dissatisfaction. They did not want the painting “The Son”; they were counting on a more profitable investment of their capital. The presenter hit the hammer:
- Ten dollars - one, ten dollars - two, ten dollars - three. Sold for ten dollars!
The man sitting in the second row shouted:
- Now give us a real collection!
The presenter put down his hammer and said:
— I'm very sorry, but the auction is over.
- But what about the other paintings?
“I apologize, but when I was invited to conduct this auction, I was told about the secret order of the owner of the collection, and until that moment I could not report this last will of the owner of the paintings. Only the film “Son” will be played. Whoever buys it will inherit the entire estate and the entire collection of paintings.
The person who purchased the “Son” received everything!
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru