A story is told about a wealthy man who, years ago, shared a passion for collecting art with his son. Priceless works of art by Picasso, Van Gogh and others adorned the walls of their family estate. One year, war engulfed the nation, and the son left to serve his country. Soon his father received a telegram. His son had been killed in the line of battle. Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Christmas with anguish and sadness.

On Christmas morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man. As he opened the door a soldier greeted him who was holding a package. The soldier said, “I was friends with your son. I have something to give you.” The soldier mentioned that he was an artist and then gave the package to the man. It was a portrait of the man’s son. Overcome with emotion, the man hung the portrait over his fireplace, pushing aside millions of dollars’ worth of art.

The following spring, the old man died. The art world waited with anticipation for the day when his paintings would be auctioned off. According to the will drawn up by the old man, the art would be auctioned off on Christmas Day. Christmas Day finally arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of the world’s most spectacular paintings. The auction began with the painting of the man’s son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid, but the room was silent. “Who will open the bidding with $10?” No one spoke. Someone shouted, “Who cares about that painting? It’s just a picture of his son. Let’s move on to the good stuff!” The auctioneer responded, “No, we have to sell this one first. It’s right here in the will. Now, who will take the son?”

Finally, a voice came from the back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. “I’ll give $10 for the painting.” Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. The auctioneer shouted, “We have $10, who will bid $20?” “Give it to him for $10! Let’s see the masters,” said the person in the crowd. But the auctioneer continued. “$10 is the bid, won’t someone bid $20?” The crowd was becoming angry. They didn’t want the picture of the son. They wanted the more “worthy” investments for their collections. The auctioneer pounded the gavel. “Going once, twice, SOLD for $10.”

Then the auctioneer looked at the room filled with people and announced that the auction was over. Everyone was stunned. Someone spoke up and said, “What do you mean, it’s over? We didn’t come here for a painting of some guy’s son. There’s millions of dollars’ worth of art here!” The auctioneer replied, “According to the man’s will, whoever takes the son gets it all.”