SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS

A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted
a sign advertising the pups and set about nailing it to
a post on the edge 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,” the
lad said, “I want to buy one of your puppies.” “Well,” said
the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck,
“these puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of
money.”
The boy thought 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 from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly, followed
by four little balls of fur. The little boy pressed his face
against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight. As
the dogs came up to the fence, the little boy noticed something
else stirring inside the doghouse. Another little ball appeared;
slowly and awkwardly, the little pup began hobbling
toward the others, doing its 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.” At 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, attached to a speciallymade
shoe.
Looking back up at the farmer, he said, “You see, sir, I don’t
run too well myself, and he will need someone who
understands.”