Sky of paternal love

Author: Yue Fan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: Many years ago, there was a man who deeply loved art, and it became the entirety of his life. He worked tirelessly, saving and depriving himself, just to buy one art piece after another. He even acquired works by famous artists like Rembrandt and Picasso. The man had been widowed for many years and had only one son who relied on him. As the son grew older, influenced by his father, he also became an outstanding art collector. The father was very proud of his son. Because they shared a common passion, their father-son relationship was also very close.
Time passed, and suddenly, their country was drawn into a war. The son, like many young men, enlisted and went to the battlefield. After a while, something happened. One day, the father received a letter. The letter said, "We regret to inform you that your son has gone missing in battle." Hearing the news, the father's heart shattered. His love for his son was so profound, and at that moment, he truly felt how important his son was to him.
A few weeks later, the father received another letter. This letter tore his heart in half. It said, "We are heartbroken to tell you that your son has died in battle." The father was in so much pain that he could barely read the letter. "Your son was safely returning to the front when he saw many injured comrades on the battlefield. So he rushed back into the war, carrying one comrade after another back to safety. When he returned with the last comrade, a bullet struck him, taking his life."
A month passed, and Christmas arrived. The grieving father had no desire even to get out of bed. He couldn’t imagine how to spend Christmas without his son. Just then, the doorbell rang. He shuffled downstairs, opened the door, and saw a young man standing there, holding a package. The young man said, "Sir, you don’t recognize me. I am the injured soldier whose life your son saved. He died saving me." He paused and then added, "I am not wealthy, and I don’t have anything valuable to repay your son for his act of bravery. Your son once told me about your love for art, so although I am not a painter, I still painted a portrait of your son. I hope you will accept it."
The father took the package and went back inside. He carefully unwrapped it, and his son’s familiar smile appeared before him. His eyes blurred, and his thoughts wandered. He pressed the portrait tightly to his chest and walked slowly into the art collection room. Then, he took down the Rembrandt painting hanging above the fireplace and hung the portrait of his son in its place. Turning around, the father’s eyes were filled with tears. He told the young man, "This is my most valuable collection. To me, it is more valuable than all the other pieces I own."
The father and the young man shared a meal and spent Christmas together. Several years later, the father fell ill and passed away. His death was soon spread throughout the community. Everyone knew he had collected an immense amount of art in his lifetime, and that a grand auction of his collection would surely take place after his passing.
In the end, the auction was announced to be held on Christmas. Museum directors and private collectors from all over the world flocked to the event. Everyone eagerly awaited the chance to buy the treasures being auctioned. The room was packed with bidders. Finally, the auctioneer stood up and said, "Thank you all for attending the auction. Today, we are auctioning the portrait behind me." Someone from the crowd shouted, "That’s just the portrait of the old man’s son! Why not skip it and start with the real treasures?" The auctioneer explained, "We must first sell this portrait before we can continue."
The auctioneer asked, "Does anyone want to start the bidding with $100?" The audience remained silent. He then asked, "Does anyone want to bid $50?" Still, no one responded. He asked again, "Does anyone want to bid $40?" No one was interested in buying the portrait. The auctioneer felt very embarrassed. "No one wants to buy this portrait?" A middle-aged man stood up and asked, "Would you sell it for $10? Look, I only have $10. I’m his neighbor, and I knew this boy. I watched him grow up, and I really liked him. I’d like to buy this portrait, so will you sell it for $10?"
The auctioneer called out, "Ten dollars—first time, ten dollars—second time, sold!" The crowd erupted in cheers. People sighed, "Oh, heavens, now we can finally bid on the real treasures!" The auctioneer then said, "Thank you all for attending the auction. We are honored to have you here today, and the auction is now over." The crowd grew angry and demanded, "What do you mean the auction is over? You didn’t even start bidding on the other artworks!" The auctioneer explained, "I’m sorry, everyone, the auction is over. According to the father’s will: whoever buys the portrait of his son will inherit the entire collection!"
P3-5