To look at him, one would have thought that Timmy was just an ordinary kid. Indeed, he looked and pretty much acted like any other boy. I found out how wrong that assumption was, though.

It was spring, and along with all the other animals on the farm, my dog, Gracie, had given birth to a litter of happy squeeling, quickly growing puppies. Gracie was a purebred, from champion stock, and the sire was also a chamion purebred, so it wasn't surprising that all of the pups had beautiful markings. The runt of the litter, though, was born with a bum leg.

One day Timmy came by the farm. He walked right up to the fence and said, "Mister, can I buy one of your puppies?"

I looked at the boy...broken down shoes, with a shirt that had seen better days, pants that had holes worn in the knees, and even his straw hat was well worn. It was pretty clear that neither he nor his folks were people of means.

"Son, the pups are very special. They're from champion stock," I explained. He knew, of course, what I was getting at.

Saddened, he looked thoughtful for a moment, then stuffed his hand into his pocket and pulled out a dime, three nickles, four pennies, a piece of bubblegum, and a old metal washer.

"Would this be enough to see 'em?" he asked hopefully.

"Sure," I said. I whistled and called to Gracie. Out of the coop she came with her characteristic bouncing energy, and right behind her, were 4 little energetic balls of fluff. They were almost to the fence when the fifth ball of fur came out of the coop, trying harder than any of the others, but having trouble with her bad leg. Still, she didn't pause, and almost fell over herself trying to catch up with the others.

Immediately Timmy pointed at the last little puppy and exclaimed, "I want that one!"

I knelt so I could look Timmy in the eyes and said, "Son, you don't want her. She will never be able to play and run like the other pups. See how she is walking?"

Timmy didn't hesitate. He pulled his pantleg up high so I could see the metal brace attached to his knee, and going all the way down his leg to the inside of his shoes.

"That's okay," Timmy said. "I can't run and play like other kids, either."

His tone of voice was bright, not at all what one would expect if he expected pity, and in fact, he stated it as if it was just another fact of life.

I picked up the runt carefully, and handed her to Timmy, choking back the tears in my eyes. When Timmy held out his hand to give me his worldly weath, I shook my head.

"No charge, Timmy. Love doesn't cost anything," I said, watching the bright grin that lit his face as he stuffed his treasure back into his pocket and accepted the suddenly very happy and squirming little puppy. Before they left, I saw Timmy loving the puppy and the puppy returning the love unquestioningly.

I stayed on my knees and gave thanks. In such a simple act, I'd been reminded that appearances tell us nothing. What lives in the heart of each of us can be more powerful than any shortcoming we might have.

Remember your loved ones today, and everyday, and don't forget to tell the helpful people you meet today that you appriciate them. That small act of love can plant a seed in a heart, that will blossom into something quite beautiful. Who knows? The seed that is sowed, might be planted in your own heart.

This is a very beautiful and powerful story. I don't think you need the last two paragraphs. The reader can come to these conclusions through a well told story.

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Thank you!

Very powerful and profound. Thank you for sharing this piece. Very moving.

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was that my life
looking back now
so fast we run
that we forget
to stop and dance
RFV