From another perspective

According to the U.S. Government’s Official Web Portal, our nation celebrates National Friendship Week this year from Aug. 18 to Aug. 24.

Monday I received a reminder about this week in my email. Let me tell you the story, which was included in the email.

A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the 20 pups. And set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of a little boy.

“Mister,” he said, “I want to buy one of your puppies.”
“Well,” the farmer said, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, “These puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money.”

The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then reaching deep 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?”

“Sure,” the farmer said.

And with that he let out a whistle “Here, Dolly!” he called.

Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur. The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight. As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse. Slowly another little ball appeared. This one was noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner, the little pup began hobbling towards the others, doing its best to catch up.

“I want that one,” the little boy said, pointing to the runt.

The farmer knelt down at the boy’s side and said, “Son, you don’t want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would.”

With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe.

Looking back up at the farmer, he said, “You see sir, I don’t run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands.”

This story touched me and reminded me of all the wonderful friends I have. They have contributed to the person I am today. To all of you, I would like to say thank you. Each of you mean so much to me.

All of us need people who understand. Friends stick by your side through thick and thin. Make sure you appreciate them and show them the same amount of gratitude that they show you.

Although this week is far away, you still have 46 weeks of this year to take the mission of Friendship Week to heart. Show your friends how much you care.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Feb 7 2003. Filed under Opinion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry