A store owner was tacking a sign
above the door to his shop that read
"Puppies For Sale."
Somehow signs like that have a way
of attracting children and, sure enough,
a little boy appeared at the store.
"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;
out of the kennel came Lady,
who ran down the aisle of his store
followed by five tiny balls of fur.
One puppy was lagging behind considerably.
The little boy immediately singled out
the lagging, limping puppy and said,
"What's wrong with that little puppy?"
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 and said,
"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 into the store owner's eyes,
pointed 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.
I'll give you $2.37 now,
and 50 cents a month
until I've paid you the full price."
The store owner replied,
"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
which was 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!"
