I like stories that present spiritual principles - here is one...
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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 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
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 over 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 well 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!
Unmindful of the story of the man’s only son, but in his
honor, 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 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."
Puts things into perspective doesn’t it? Just as those art
collectors discovered on that 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.
– Unknown
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