Intelligent
Even though he was a young boy, he still knew what he was talking about. He watched the old man’s eyes fill with greed as he showed him a unique piece.
Lucky for him, his father was with him; otherwise, he might have been taken advantage of. They were there because of him, after all, though he wasn’t in it for the money. He loved the art above all else.
Art Above All Else
Curious little Martin Stevens had an insatiable appetite for knowledge—specifically history and mystery. He was a straight-A student in school and a talented artist in his Golden Acres community, in New Jersey.
Lisa and Henry, his parents, knew this well, and that is why they decided to take him to the antique store on the outskirts of town one Sunday afternoon. However, they didin’t know this family outing would change their lives forever.
Average Family
Martin, the curious 11-year-old boy, had a penchant for the past. His parents shared his love for antiques, and often took him on their weekend antique shopping.
They were considered middle class and got by with their money every month, but they did not have the extra money needed for gifts for their son. They were going through a rough patch regarding their finances but were working hard to get out of it. Never could they have known their struggles were almost over.
Entrepreneur
His parents gave Martin $2 to spend as he chose, expecting him to buy one of the vintage toys or a collection of coins.
They had always known he enjoyed painting but they also wanted him to broaden his skills and interests. He was quite disciplined and set in his ways, and his mother often jested that he was an old soul.
Unexpected
On that particular Saturday, as they browsed the aisles of an antique shop nestled in the heart of their small town, Martin’s eyes sparkled with interest. The family was interested in picking up some trinkets for their house.
As they browsed, Martin’s eyes widened in wonder at the shelves upon shelves lined with all the trinkets.
Oddity
Martin’s parents had given him an allowance of $2 to spend that day, expecting him to spend it on toys or a strange collection of trinkets or coins.
However, Martin set his sights on something unexpected—an old oil painting that had been tucked into a corner of the antique shop. They didn’t realize that that painting would change their lives forever.
Painting
The young boy gravitated towards the painting, slowly, as if he would scare it. He was quiet and contemplative, stunned even, by its beauty and artful composition. He smiled as he neared it.
His parents watched him quietly, fascinated by his peculiar choice. He was absolutely fixated on a painting in the corner of the shop, almost hidden from view. He passionately examined it, amazed by the brushstroke, frame, and everything about it.
Serenity
Martin’s eyes were wide, absolutely glued to the oil painting that hung far in the corner. He didn’t stop staring or gaping and even called his parents over to come see.
He had never seen anything like it ever in his life. It was a perfect rendering of the countryside with a windmill in the background, absolutely masterfully done. It stole his breath away. Would they even appreciate this piece?
Ancient
Martin’s gaze is fixed on the painting, a perfect depiction of a countryside scene with a windmill in the distant background. It had a rustic little farmhouse nestled in between rolling hills. The colors were mute now, dull with age; but beautiful nonetheless.
His parents tried to steer him away, but he rejected their suggestions. “What about this, Martin?” his mother asked, pointing to a shelf of colorful toys. But Martin was still set on his painting. “I like this one,” he said, his fingers gliding over the frame.
Second Thought
His parents exchanged confused glances, not knowing what he sought with a painting when he had toys to choose from. Lisa even tried to show him classic novels, but he stood fast in his love for the painting.
“Are you sure, son?” Henry asked, trying, still, to steer him away. “There are toys this side and other things you could choose from…” But their son just shook his head and glanced at the artwork again. “No, I want this one. It’s special.”
He Disagrees
Lisa and Henry exchanged another glance, uncertain of what to make of their son's sudden interest in the painting. It was old and worn, hardly the kind of thing a child would typically want to spend their pocket money on.
Henry even suggested that he save his $2 to get something else when he had enough money. But the boy declined the idea. “You gave the money to me Dad, so let me buy what I want,” he said coolly.
That's All I Want
Lisa and Henry expected Martin to gravitate towards the toy section, but to their surprise, he walked straight to the painting and began examining it closely. No matter how hard they tried to convince him, he still wanted the painting.
They exchanged puzzled looks but decided to let Martin explore the painting, even though they were sure he would prefer a more tangible purchase. Perhaps he would change his mind in a few minutes. There were other better, brighter paintings in the store too.
Choose Something Else
His mother pointed out some modern art pieces, but he turned away. "Martin, darling, are you sure you want that old painting?" Lisa asked, her brows furrowing in confusion. Martin nodded eagerly; his gaze unwavering. "Yes, Mom, Dad. I want this painting."
Henry scratched his head, exchanging a puzzled glance with Lisa. "But, Martin, there are so many other things here. Are you sure about this?" The boy was starting to get frustrated and walked away from his mother. She was stubborn and wouldn’t listen to him.
The Other Parent
Martin nodded again; his determination evident. He walked over to his father, "I'm sure, Dad. This painting speaks to me." Martin was starting to get upset, he hardly ever got to choose what he liked, and his parents always controlled him.
Lisa and Henry exchanged bemused shrugs before relenting, allowing Martin to use his $2 on the painting. As Martin carefully examined the artwork, he noticed the faint cracks in the paint and the aged canvas, hinting at its long history. He was absolutely besotted with it.
Making The Sale
His father went to speak to the store clerk. "Alright, if that's what you want, Martin," Lisa said with a shrug, though she couldn't hide the skepticism in her voice. "But are you sure you don't want to look around a bit more?"
His mother even showed him some musical instruments and a small drum set in an attempt to break him out of his shell. Martin shook his head again, his determination unwavering. "No, I'm sure. This is the one." She sighed and took to the clerk to finalize the sale.
A Cheap Piece
With a bemused smile, Lisa and Henry relented, exchanging the $2 for the old painting. They watched the clerk wrap it up carefully with brown paper. He put three layers at Martin's request.
As they left the antique store, Martin clutched the artwork tightly to his chest, a sense of excitement bubbling within him. He felt like the luckiest boy in the world. He placed the artwork carefully in the back seat and even put the seat belt over it. It was his most prized possession.
The Haunted Painting
Back at home, Martin insisted on hanging the painting above his bed, where he could see it every night before he went to sleep. His parents watched with amusement as their son seemed to develop a newfound fascination with the artwork, spending hours studying its every detail.
But as the days passed, strange things began to happen. Martin started having vivid dreams of the countryside depicted in the painting, as though he were actually there, wandering through the fields and exploring the old farmhouse. Did it have something to do with the old painting?
A Closer Look
As Martin examined the painting, he noticed that it looked much older than he initially thought. He decided to do some homework. His eyes widened as he read research on how some paintings were valuable.
Intrigued by the painting's antiquity, Martin suggested they take it to an art appraiser to learn more about its origins and potential value. He turned to his parents and asked if they could take him to an art appraiser to learn more about it.
The Real Deal
Lisa and Henry exchanged another glance, this time filled with concern, as they knew that such an excursion would come with a cost. They would have to pay the appraiser for his time and work as well.
Nonetheless, they agreed to take him. Henry grumbled at the idea, but Lisa saw the excitement in Martin's eyes and agreed. They didn’t want to count their chickens before they hatched, but this could be a gold mine.
An Art Adventure
And so, with Martin's persistence leading the way, they embarked on a journey filled with excitement and anticipation, eager to uncover the true value of the old painting that had captured their son's imagination.
It was a full-time job trying to find someone who was an independent art appraiser. They phoned a few art dealers but nobody wanted to assist them. They didn’t know how to go about it. Would they be able to find out if the painting was a valuable antique?
Doing The Research
Lisa and Henry exchanged bemused shrugs before relenting. They got more than they bargained for allowing Martin to use his $2 on the painting. It was a difficult task.
As Martin carefully examined the artwork, he noticed the faint cracks in the paint and the aged canvas, hinting at its long history. He knew that he was on to something but he needed his parents to help him with the work. Nobody would listen to a child.
One Hundred Percent Sure
Martin couldn’t wait to find a legitimate art appraiser to learn more about its origins and potential value. “Let’s take a bet mom, It’s definitely a valuable piece,” his mother laughed at him and agreed to play.
Henry grumbled at the idea, but Lisa saw the excitement in Martin's eyes and agreed too. “I bet you another $5 that it is valuable,” Martin said confidently. “Where did you get $5 from?” his father asked him. But Martin had kept a secret that he wouldn’t tell.
The Search Is On
After some searching, they found themselves standing outside Mr. Banks' art appraisal studio. Martin clutched the painting tightly, his heart pounding with anticipation. The moment of truth was finally here.
They stood outside the entrance of the studio as if something magical was about to happen. “I can’t believe I’m doing this,” Martin said. For the first time, he truly felt responsible. His parents lead the way inside to get the answers they came for.
Paying For A Professional
Mr. Banks, a stout man with spectacles perched on his nose, greeted them warmly as they entered. He looked them up and down, sussing them out.
Martin carefully laid the painting on the table before Mr. Banks, who studied it with keen interest. Mr. Banks was a stern-looking man with a sharp eye for detail. He looked angry while he worked, his bushy eyebrows flicking up and down. Martin thought he saw them covering his eyes at one point.
The Worth Of Art
As Martin brought the painting out of its protective wrapping, Mr. Banks' eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Well, well, what do we have here?" Mr. Banks mused, running his fingers over the aged canvas. "This is quite the find."
Martin beamed with pride, while Lisa and Henry exchanged surprised glances. "This is quite extraordinary," Mr. Banks muttered to himself as he examined the painting. "Where did you find this?" The old man continued to examine the painting mumbling to himself.
The Story Behind The Find
Martin explained how he had found it in the antique store and that he was interested in learning more about its history and value. But was he giving away too much information?
Mr. Banks nodded and continued to study the painting, occasionally muttering to himself and jotting down notes. The curious boy didn’t know that Mr. Banks was a greedy businessman who collected ancient artifacts, he was jealous that a young boy had possession of it.
What You Have Here
After what seemed like an eternity, Mr. Banks finally looked up and met Martin's gaze. "This painting," he began slowly, "is not just any old painting. It is a work by the famous Dutch painter."
He questioned Martin almost as if to show off. Martin didn’t know any of the answers. He didn’t have a PhD in Ancient Art. He was just a boy. He was getting flustered by all the questions the appraiser was asking him. It was a personal attack.
A Renowned Artist
Mr. Banks spoke to Martin, his voice tinged with disbelief. "You know, young man, this painting is far more valuable than you realize. It's an original work by the famous Dutch painter Van Heuse, dating back to the late 1800s."
The young boy was innocent but he somehow felt that Mr. Banks was insulting him. His attitude immediately changed from that of cheerfulness to greed. He was more concerned with the business. Would the family give in to him?
Martin Was Right
Lisa gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in shock, while Henry's eyes widened in disbelief.
Martin's eyes widened in disbelief. He had heard of Van Heuse, but he never imagined he would come into contact with one of his works. He joked with his mother that he won the bet and she laughed saying “Yeah, I owe you $5!” The two laughed at their private joke while Mr. Banks looked at them as though they were crazy.
Thousands Of Dollars
Mr. Banks cleared his throat and continued to speak. "Van Heuse is a highly respected painter from the late 1800s. His works are incredibly valuable. I would estimate this painting to be worth between $1000 and $2000," Mr. Banks declared.
Martin's jaw dropped, his excitement reaching new heights. "Wow! Really? Now we are talking!" he exclaimed. His embarrassed son just looked down. He knew his greedy father was just in it for the money.
Think Of The Money
Lisa and Henry were speechless, their minds reeling with the implications of their son's discovery. They had never imagined that a seemingly insignificant purchase at an antique store could hold such immense value. Mr. Banks wanted to keep the painting at his studio but the family declined in unison.
As they left Mr. Banks' studio, Martin couldn't contain his excitement. "See, I told you guys it was special! We have to get it appraised properly!" They didn’t know then that this was going to be the beginning of a rollercoaster ride.
Bursting His Bubble
Henry sighed, rubbing his temples wearily. "Martin, we'll see. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. That appraiser cost us $50 already." But Martin wouldn't be deterred. He pleaded with his parents; his enthusiasm was infectious.
"Please, Mom, Dad! This could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! We have to know for sure!" Lisa exchanged a knowing glance with Henry, her heart warmed by her son's passion. "Alright, Martin. We'll get it properly appraised." They drove home discussing the next plan for the painting.
Leaving Him No Choice
Lisa and Henry exchanged a glance. They knew that this amount of money could help alleviate some of the financial pressures they were facing. However, they also knew how much this painting meant to Martin.
"Martin," Lisa began gently, "we understand how much you love this painting, but we really need the money right now to pay the bills." He looked at his mother in shock, this was so typical of her. What would Martin decide to do?
Don’t Make Me Do It
Martin's heart sank. He understood the situation his parents were in, but he couldn't bear the thought of parting with the painting. It was a piece of history that he had discovered and cherished. He couldn't let it go. "Please, can't we find another way?" Martin pleaded; his voice filled with desperation.
But his father said no countless times. “But it's my painting and my money,” the boy argued. “And I have to pay your school tuition and buy groceries for you,” his father responded. It was a losing battle. They had already decided for him.
A Tough Choice
Henry sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He hated to see his son so upset, but he also knew that they needed the money. "We can't keep it, son. It's too valuable. We need to sell it."
Martin's shoulders slumped in defeat. He knew he couldn't change his parents' minds. Reluctantly, he agreed to sell the painting. He knew that the money would come of more use in his family. And for the first time in his young life, he hated his life.
Doing The Right Thing
As they drove home, Martin couldn't shake the feeling of loss that hung heavy in his heart. He refused to speak to his parents and even went on a hunger strike for a day. He hated his parents at that moment.
He had found something truly special, only to have it slip through his fingers. He knew that it was the right decision to sell the painting, but it didn't make it any easier. Would Martin ever come to terms with his loss?
Life Goes On
Over the next few weeks, the Stevens family faced their financial struggles head-on. They were able to sell the piece to a private art gallery for more than what Mr. Banks suggested. Seeing Martin's sad face, they gave him $5000 for his keen eye.
They were able to pay their bills and make ends meet, but Martin couldn't help but feel a pang of regret whenever he thought about the painting. He felt like he was just a pawn in his parent’s game to survive. But he didn’t know that his days with his favorite painting weren't over yet.
Gone But Not Forgotten
The days went by, and Martin had to grow up and move on with life. He pursued his passion for art and even won a local painting competition.
Despite his success, he never forgot about the painting that had captured his imagination all those years ago. He often wondered where it was now and who had purchased it, but the gallery had lost contact with the last buyer. It was a mystery. Who owned the famous painting now?
A Strange Letter
One day, Martin received a letter in the mail. It was from Mr. Banks. Inside was a photograph of the painting, beautifully framed and displayed in an art gallery in his expensive home. Accompanying the photograph was a note from Mr. Banks, explaining that he had purchased the painting from the art gallery after the Stevens family had sold it.
"I knew that this painting was special," Mr. Banks wrote, "and I wanted to ensure that it found a deserving home. I hope this photograph brings back fond memories of your time with the painting." Finally, the painting was found, but it was in the wrong hands.
A Ray Of Hope
Tears welled up in Martin's eyes as he looked at the photograph. It was a bittersweet reminder of the painting that had once been a part of his life. Perhaps it was meant to be with Mr. Banks, maybe he wasn’t ready for fine art just yet.
He knew that he would never forget the painting or the lesson it had taught him about the value of art and the importance of following one's passions. But he vowed that he would someday become so rich, that money wasn’t an option anymore. His love for art demanded it.