"How much do you want for this painting?", you ask. And when the reply comes, "One hundred dollars", you return the item and inquire further.

 

    "Do you have any others?" The vendor then reaches under his table and produces the exact same painting, only this one you recognize as the original of the same! How can this be, you wonder to yourself. This is one of the most famous works of art the world has ever known, and that which you are holding in your hands is 'the original.' You examine it and cross examine it and beyond a shadow of a doubt, this is the authentic work of the artist.

 

    Quickly you ask in softened voice and before another can see, "How much for this one...?" Again, "One hundred dollars", comes the reply, "But you may have it free. I received it from the artist himself while he was working in my country." "Where is your home?", you ask. "Far away..." is his only answer. And you reply, "I can't believe you are giving me this original painting, 'Sunflowers', free." "No", he retorts, "'SONflowers' was its original name given." And you think to yourself, "Okay...whatever", as you hurriedly thank the man, and scurry joyfully..no more than joyfully -- ecstatically!, to your place of residence.

 

    You behold the beautiful masterpiece as it stands before you...but then for a moment, in a mixture of that which is both astonishment and amazement, it dawns on you that, "That which the world has received is a counterfeit." But the counterfeit has now been recognized by all, great and small, as the original.

 

    You tell others! You even offer advise on how they were deceived into believing their beloved work was that of a master counterfeiter.

 

    "No!" they shout back, "We have the original. And that which you hold is a counterfeit!" This goes on and on, with the same reply over and over, "We have the original, YOU have the counterfeit."

 

    And one day as you dwell in solemnity, you note the inscription on the back the painting...oddly out of place to what the world might see, but never the less, one more measure of proof to its authenticity. In the artist's own hand it is inscribed...