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 be 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 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
fingers, 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 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 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!"
