I Want That One

I heard a story once about

a farmer who had some

puppies for sale.

He made a sign advertising

the pups and nailed it

to a post on the edge of

his yard.

As he was nailing the sign

to the post, he felt a tug on his overalls.

He looked down to see a

little boy with a big grin

and something in his hand.

Mister, he said, I want

to buy one of your puppies.

Well, said the farmer,

these puppies come from

fine parents and cost a

good deal.

The boy dropped his head for a

moment, then looked back up at

the farmer and said, I' 've

got thirty-nine cents.

Is that enough to take a look?

Sure, said the farmer, and

with that he whistled and

called out, Dolly.

Out from the doghouse and down

the ramp ran Dolly followed

by four little balls of fur.

The little boy's eyes danced

with delight.

Then out from the doghouse

peeked another little ball;

this one noticeably smaller.

Down the ramp it slid and began

hobbling in an unrewarded

attempt to catch up

with the others. The pup

was clearly the runt of

the litter.

The little boy pressed his face

to the fence and cried out,

I want that one, pointing to

the runt.

The farmer knelt down and

said, Son, you don't

want that puppy. He will

never be able to run and play

with you the way you would like.

With that the boy reached down

and slowly pulled up one leg

of his trousers.

In doing so he revealed a

steel brace running down

both sides of his leg

attaching itself to a specially

made shoe. Looking up at the

farmer, he said,

You see, sir, I don't run

to well myself,

and he will need

someone who understands.

By: Charles Stanley