A young boy was walking down the street and saw a sign in the window of a store that said “Puppies for Sale!”

Surely, this excited the boy and so he stepped into the pet store and inquired, “how much are the puppies?”

The manager replied, “Anywhere from $30 to $50.”

The little boy pulled all of his change from his pocket and declared, “I have $2.37. Can I please look at them?”

The manager smiled and whistled.  Out of the kennel came Lady, who ran down the aisle of the store followed by five small balls of fur. One puppy was falling considerably behind.  Immediately, the body singled out the struggling, limping puppy and asked “What’s wrong with this little dog?”

The manager explained that the veterinarian had examined the puppy and discovered it doesn’t have a hip socket and it would always limp and be lame.  This excited the little boy and he said “This is the puppy I want to buy!”

The manager explained, “No, you don’t want to buy that little dog…But if you really want him, I’ll just give him to you.”

The little boy became upset with the manager.  He looked him straight in the 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 will give you $2.37 now, and fifty cents a month until I have him paid for.”

The manager countered, “You really don’t want to buy this little dog.  He is never going to run and jump and play with you like the other puppies will.”

To the manager’s surprise, the little boy reached down and rolled up his pants to reveal a badly twisted, crippled leg supported by a metal brace.  He looked up at the manager and softly replied, “Well, I don’t run so well myself, and the little puppy will need someone who understands.”

Xo Juli

*adapted from an unknown author