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?" the
little boy asked. The store owner replied, "anywhere from $30 to
$50." The little boy reached into 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 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 that
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 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."
