A store
owner was tacking a sign above his door that read "Puppies For Sale."
Signs
like that have a way of attracting small children, and sure enough, a little
boy appeared under the store owner's sign. "How much are you going
to sell the puppies for?" he asked.
The
store owner replied, "Anywhere from $30 to $50."
The
little boy reached in his pocket and pulled out some change. "I have
$2.37," he said. "Can I please look at them?"
The
store owner smiled and whistled and out of the kennel came Lady, who ran
down the aisle of his store followed by five teeny, tiny balls of fur.
One
puppy was lagging considerably behind. Immediately the little boy
singled out the lagging, limping puppy and said, "What's wrong with
that little dog?"
The
store owner explained that the veterinarian had examined the little puppy
and had discovered it didn't have a hip socket. It would always limp.
It would always be lame.
The
little boy became excited. "That is the puppy that I want to buy."
The
store owner said, "No, you don't want to buy that little dog. If
you really want him, I'll just give him to you."
The
little boy got quite upset. He looked straight into the store owner's
eyes, pointing his finger, and said, "I don't want you to give him to me.
That little dog is worth every bit as much as all the other
dogs and I'll pay full price. In fact, I'll give you $2.37 now, and
50 cents a month until I have him paid for."
The
store owner countered, "You really don't want to buy this little dog.
He is never going to be able to run and jump and play with you like the
other puppies."
To his
surprise, the little boy reached down and rolled up his pant leg to reveal
a badly twisted, crippled left leg supported by a big metal brace.
He looked up at the store owner and softly replied, "Well,
I don't run so well myself, and the little puppy will need someone who
understands!"