A Man Put Up A Sign In His Yard That Read: ...

A MAN PUT UP A SIGN IN HIS YARD THAT READ: "PUPPIES FOR SALE." AMONG THOSE WHO CAME TO INQUIRE WAS A YOUNG BOY. "PLEASE, MISTER," HE SAID, "I’D LIKE TO BUY ONE OF YOUR PUPPIES IF THEY DON’T COST TOO MUCH." "WELL, SON, THEY’RE $25 EACH." THE BOY LOOKED CRUSHED. "I’VE ONLY GOT TWO DOLLARS AND FIVE CENTS. COULD I SEE THEM ANYWAY?" "OF COURSE. MAYBE WE CAN WORK SOMETHING OUT," SAID THE MAN. THE BOY’S EYES DANCED AT THE SIGHT OF THOSE FIVE LITTLE BALLS OF FUR. "I HEARD THAT ONE HAS A BAD LEG," HE SAID. "YES, I’M AFRAID SHE’LL BE CRIPPLED FOR LIFE." "WELL, THAT’S THE PUPPY I WANT. COULD I PAY FOR HER A LITTLE AT A TIME?" THE MAN RESPONDED, "BUT SHE’LL ALWAYS HAVE A LIMP." SMILING BRAVELY, THE BOY PULLED UP ONE PANT LEG, REVEALING A BRACE. "I DON’T WALK GOOD EITHER." THEN, LOOKING AT THE PUPPY SYMPATHETICALLY, HE CONTINUED, "I GUESS SHE’LL NEED A LOT OF LOVE AND HELP. I SURE DID. IT’S NOT SO EASY BEING CRIPPLED." "HERE, TAKE HER," SAID THE MAN. "I KNOW YOU’LL GIVE HER A GOOD HOME. AND JUST FORGET THE MONEY."

YOU SEE DEAR CHURCH, WHEN WE GET TO THE POINT, THAT WE REALIZE WE TOO ARE CRIPPLED, THEN WE WILL DEMONSTRATE SYMPATHY AND COMPASSION FOR OTHERS IN THEIR PAIN AND SUFFERING. WE CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHAT WE HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED.