A farmer had some puppies to sell. He painted a sign advertising the pups and was nailing it to a post when he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of a little boy.
"Mister," the boy said, "I want to buy one of your puppies."
"Well," said the farmer, wiping sweat from his neck, "these puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money."
The boy looked down for a moment. Then, reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change. "I've got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?"
"Sure," said the farmer. He whistled and called, "Here, Dolly!"
Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly, followed by four little balls of fur. The boy pressed his face against the chain-link fence, his eyes dancing with delight.
As the dogs approached, the boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse. Slowly, another little ball appeared, noticeably smaller. It slid down the ramp and then began hobbling awkwardly toward the others, trying its best to catch up.
"I want that one," the boy said, pointing to the runt.
The farmer knelt beside him. "Son, you don't want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like the others."
At this, the boy stepped back from the fence. He reached down and rolled up one leg of his trousers, revealing a steel brace running down both sides of his leg, attached to a specially made shoe.
Looking up at the farmer, he said, "You see, sir, I don't run too well myself. He will need someone who understands."