The second to present itself was an ornamented porcelain vase which came from distant China. "I'm the most valuable vase of all", the vase exclaimed, "as the house lord had to travel to the ends of the earth and as far as distant China to bring me here". The silverware found it interesting to hear, but were far from persuaded that it was worth more than the golden vase standing right next to it.

A mysterious vase made of terracotta appeared third. This specific vase had lots of ancient shapes drawn on it, as if taken from another time in history. "I'm the most precious of all", boasted the vase, "as I am older than 500 years! Other vases like me can only be found in museums". The other silverware were excited to hear its words, but were still not persuaded that it was worth more than the golden vase.

The fourth and last to make a step was a humble wooden vase, which no one had ever noticed in the house as it was far from spectacular: neither was it made of shining metal, nor did it have any beautiful ornaments or decorations on it so as to attract attention. "I'm the most beautiful vase of all", the wooden vase said, taking everybody by surprise. Some even burst into laughter, thinking it was some kind of joke as it looked completely insignificant next to the golden vase. Yet, the wooden vase plucked up even more courage, and added: "as the story of a life-long love is forever engraved on my wood".

It then showed them it’s back, on which the initials of the grandfather and grandmother of the house lord were engraved, following it with the story of the tree out of which it was carved: it was the tree under the shadow of which the grandfather met his love in secret back in the days when they had first met each other. When, at some point, the wild wind blew and broke the trunk in half, the grandfather chose to make a beautiful vase out of it and from that point there had not been a single day that he did not put two fresh, red roses in it so as to remember the passion he had felt back then.

No sooner had the vase finished the story, and the other silverware with the golden vase first burst into applause, deciding that it was indeed more precious than any other vase in the house....