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 lame. The little boy became excited.
"That is the little puppy that I want to buy."
The
store owner said, "No, you don't want to buy that little dog. If
you really wanthim, 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 50cents 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 urn and jump
and play with you like the other puppies."
To this, 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!"