A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the four pups, and set about nailing it to the post at the end of his yard.
As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of a little boy. “Mister” he said. I want to buy one of your puppies.
“Well” said the farmer as rubbed the sweat off his neck, “These puppies are from fine parents and cost a lot of money”
The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer. “I’ve got thirty nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?
“Sure” said the farmer, and with that he let out a whistle. “Here Dolly!” he called. Out of the doghouse and down the ramp came Dolly followed by four little balls of fur.
The little boy pressed his face to the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight. As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring in the doghouse. Slowly another little ball appeared, but this one was noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid.
Then in an awkward manner, the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing his best to catch up.
“I want that one,” the little boy said, pointing to the runt. The farmer knelt down at the boy’s side and said
“Son, you don’t want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would”
With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers.
In doing so, he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg and attached to a specially made shoe.
Looking back at the farmer, he said
“You see Sir, I don’t run too well myself and he will need someone who understands”
With tears in his eyes, the farmer reached down and picked up the little pup. Holding it carefully he handed it to the little boy.
“How much?” asked the little boy.
“No Charge” said the farmer, “There is no charge for LOVE”