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 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 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
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!”
