A cultivator possessed a litter of pups that he yearned to sell. To make his intention clear, he decided to create a signboard that advertised the sale of four adorable puppies. As he drove the final nail into the post on the edge of his yard, he felt a slight pull on his overalls. When he lowered his gaze, he saw a little boy staring up at him with big, bright eyes.
The boy looked up at the farmer with an earnest expression and replied, “Sir, I truly desire to purchase one of your adorable puppies.”
The farmer paused and wiped the beads of sweat off his neck as he considered the boy’s request. “These puppies are offspring of exceptional lineage and are quite expensive,” he responded thoughtfully.
The little boy’s head drooped for a moment in disappointment. Then he dug deep into his pocket and produced a handful of change, which he held up to the farmer. “I have only thirty-nine cents,” he said. “Would that be enough to have a look?”
“Certainly,” the farmer responded with a whistle. “Come here, Dolly!” he called out.
Out of the doghouse and down the ramp came Dolly, followed by four adorable bundles of fur. The little boy leaned in close to the chain-link fence, his eyes sparkling with delight. As the pups made their way over to the fence, the boy noticed a small movement inside the doghouse.
Gradually, another little ball of fur emerged, visibly smaller than the others. It slid down the ramp and began hobbling awkwardly towards the rest of the litter, struggling to catch up.
“I want that one,” the boy declared, pointing at the runt.
Kneeling down beside the boy, the farmer advised him, “Son, that’s not the best choice. This puppy won’t be able to run and play with you like the other dogs can.”
Undeterred, the little boy stepped back from the fence, rolled up his trousers, and revealed a steel brace running down the sides of his leg, attached to a specially designed shoe. Looking back up at the farmer, he explained, “You see, sir, I don’t run too well myself, and this puppy will need someone who understands.”
Moved to tears, the farmer picked up the tiny pup and handed it to the boy. “How much?” the boy asked.
The farmer replied, “No charge. Love has no price tag.”