A farmer had some puppies to sell, so he made a sign advertising the four pups and went to nail it to a post at the edge of his yard. As he was hammering the last nail, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down to see a little boy.

“Mister,” the boy said, “I want to buy one of your puppies.”

The farmer wiped the sweat from his brow and replied, “Well, these puppies come from good stock and cost quite a bit.”

The boy lowered his head for a moment. Then, digging 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?”

The farmer smiled and said, “Sure.” He whistled, calling out, “Here, Dolly!”

Dolly came running out of the doghouse, followed by four little puppies. The boy pressed his face to the fence, eyes gleaming with excitement. As the puppies approached the fence, he noticed something else moving inside the doghouse.

A smaller puppy slowly emerged, sliding down the ramp awkwardly, trying its best to catch up with the others.

“I want that one,” the boy said, pointing to the smaller pup.

The farmer knelt beside him and said, “Son, you don’t want that puppy. He won’t be able to run and play like the others.”

The boy stepped back, rolled up one leg of his trousers, and revealed a steel brace on his leg, attached to a special shoe. Looking up at the farmer, he said, “I don’t run so well either, and he’ll need someone who understands.”

With tears in his eyes, the farmer picked up the little pup and gently handed it to the boy.

“How much?” the boy asked.

“No charge,” the farmer said softly. “Love doesn’t cost a thing.”

Credit to Louis Morley.