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!"