The Puppy & the Boy

　　A storeowner was tacking a sign above his door that read "Puppies For Sale. " Signs like that have a way of attracting small children, and sure enough, a little boy appeared under the storeowner's sign. "How much are you going to sell the puppies for ?" he asked.

　　The storeowner replied, " Anywhere from $ 30 to $50."

　　The little boy reached in his pocket and pulled out some change. "I have $ 2.37," he said. "Can I please look at them'?"

　　The storeowner smiled and whistled and out of the kennel came Lady, who ran down the aisle of his store followed by five teeny tiny balls of fur. One puppy was lagging considerable behind. Immediately the little boy singled out the lagging limping puppy and said, "What's wrong with that little dog? "

　　The storeowner explained that the veterinarian had examined the little puppy and had discovered it didn't have a hip socket. It would always limp. It would always be lame. The little boy became excited. "That's the little puppy that I want to buy. "

　　The storeowner said, "No, you don't want to buy that little dog. If you really want him, I'll just give him to you. "

　　The little boy got quite upset. He looked straight into the storeowner's eyes, pointing his finger and said, " I don't want you to give him to me. That little dog is worth every bit as much as all the other dogs and I'll pay full price. In fact I'll give you $2.37 now, and 50 cents a month until I have him paid for.

　　The storeowner countered, "You really don't want to buy this little dog. He is never going to be able to jump and play with you like the other puppies. "

　　To this, the little boy reached down and rolled up his pant leg to reveal a badly twisted. crippled left leg supported by a big metal brace. He looked up at the storeowner and softly replied, "Well, I don't run so well myself, and the little puppy will need someone who understands ! "

小狗与男孩

　　一名店主正往门的上方粘贴告示，上面写着“小狗有售”。像这样的告示总是能够吸引小孩子，可不是嘛，现在就有一个小孩子出现在店主的告示下面。“这些小狗多少钱?”他问。

　　“怎么也要30到50美元。”店主回答。

　　小男孩把手伸进口袋，掏出了一些零钱。“我有两块三毛七，”他说，“我能看看他们吗?”

　　店主笑了，吹了一声口哨，从窝里出来一只母狗，它沿着小店的过道跑过来，后面跟着5个小毛球。有一只小狗远远地落在后面。小男孩立刻指着落在后面，一瘸一拐的小狗说，“这只小狗怎么了？”

　　店王解释说兽医给它作过检查，发现它没有臀臼。它永远都要一瘸一拐的走路，它是个瘸子。小男孩兴奋了，“我就想买这只小狗。”

　　店主说：“不，你并不真的想买那只小狗。如果你真的想要，我把它送给你。”

　　小男孩非常难过。他直勾勾地看着店主的眼睛，气鼓鼓地说：“不要你送。那只小狗和其他的狗值一样的钱，我会付全部的价钱。实际上我现在就可以给你两块三毛七，然后每个月付5毛线，直到付清全部价钱。”

　　店主没听他的，说：“你并不真想要这只小狗。它永远都不会像其他的小狗那样蹦蹦跳跳，陪你玩耍。”

　　听到这话，小男孩弯下腰卷起裤腿，露出了他那条严重变形的，用一根很大的金属柱支撑的左腿。他抬起头看着店主，轻轻地回答：“是的，我自己也不能正常地跑，而且那条小狗需要一个理解它的人。