A farmer had some puppies to sell, so he made a sign advertising the four pups and went to nail it to a post at the edge of his yard. As he was hammering the last nail, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down to see a little boy.
"Mister," the boy said, "I want to buy one of your puppies."
The farmer wiped the sweat from his brow and replied, "Well, these puppies come from good stock and cost quite a bit."
The boy lowered his head for a moment. Then, digging 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?"
The farmer smiled and said, "Sure." He whistled, calling out, "Here, Dolly!"
Dolly came running out of the doghouse, followed by four little puppies. The boy pressed his face to the fence, eyes gleaming with excitement. As the puppies approached the fence, he noticed something else moving inside the doghouse.
A smaller puppy slowly emerged, sliding down the ramp awkwardly, trying its best to catch up with the others.
"I want that one," the boy said, pointing to the smaller pup.
The farmer knelt beside him and said, "Son, you don’t want that puppy. He won’t be able to run and play like the others."
The boy stepped back, rolled up one leg of his trousers, and revealed a steel brace on his leg, attached to a special shoe. Looking up at the farmer, he said, "I don’t run so well either, and he’ll need someone who understands."
With tears in his eyes, the farmer picked up the little pup and gently handed it to the boy.
"How much?" the boy asked.
"No charge," the farmer said softly. "Love doesn’t cost a thing."
Credit to Louis Morley.
Darn you all to heck Woodman, you made me cry!
ReplyDeleteCederq, sorry, sometimes I have that effect on people.
DeleteWoodsterman - I am not in the least bit ashamed to admit this made me tear up!
ReplyDeleteJDK, my work is done here.
DeleteNifty.
ReplyDeleteedutcher, indeed.
DeleteSometimes it costs everything, but it's worth it.
ReplyDeleteDusty in here
Dusty Michael, ah ... it's only money.
DeleteMan !!! You got me too.
ReplyDeleteEastwood
Eastwood, once in awhile that can happen here.
DeleteDarn allergies hit me when I got to the end.
ReplyDeleteAnon, don't you hate when that happens.
DeleteI cried (and I knew what was coming), my wife cried and my 7 year old rescue dog cried (well, moaned a little). Mission accomplished for a feel great story.
ReplyDeleteThe Inukskuk, I'm patting myself on the back, and I'm really impressed you taught your dog to read.
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