A store
owner was tacking a sign above his door that read 'Puppies for
Sale.' These signs had a weird way of attracting children. And sure
enough, a little boy appeared at the sign. "How much are you
gonna sell those puppies for?" he asked. The store owner
replied" Anywhere from $30-$50." The little boy reached
into his pocket and pulled out some change. "I have $2.37, can
I have a 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 when the puppy was born, the vet had
said that the puppy had no hip socket and would limp for the rest of
its life.
The little boy got really excited and said "That's the puppy I
wanna buy!"
The store owner replied "No, you don't wanna 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 the
other dogs and I'll pay the full price. In fact, I'll give you $2.37
now and 50 cents every month until I have him paid for."
The store owner countered, "You really don't want to buy this
puppy. He is never gonna be able to run, jump and play like 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 said softly, "Well,
I don't run so well myself, and the little puppy will need someone
who understands."
IN LIFE, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO YOU ARE, BUT WHETHER SOMEONE
APPRECIATES YOU FOR WHAT YOU ARE.
A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks
out.
