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-$50." The little boy reached in his pocket and
pulled out some change. "I have $2.37," he said.
"May I please look at them?"

The store owner smiled and whistled and out of the
kennel came a dog, 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 $0.50 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."