posted 07-25-2005 05:44 PM         

A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the 4 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," he said, "I want to buy "one of your puppies."

"Well," said the farmer, as he

rubbed the sweat of the back of

his neck, "These puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money."

The boy dropped his head for amoment. 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 made their way to the fence,

the little boy noticed something else

stirring inside the doghouse.

Slowly another little ball appeared, this one

noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then

in a somewhat awkward manner, 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."

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 attaching

itself to a specially made 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."

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,"

answered the farmer, "There's no charge for

love."

The world is full of people who need someone

who understands.