Story
Puppies For Sale
A store owner was tacking a sign above his door that read “Puppies For Sale.” Signs like that have a way of attracting small children, and sure enough, a little boy appeared under the store owner’s sign. “How much are you going to sell the puppies for?” he asked.
The store owner replied, “Anywhere from $30 to $50.”
The little boy reached in his pocket and pulled out some change. “I have $2.37,” he said. “Can I please look at them?”
The store owner smiled and whistled and out of the kennel came Lady, who ran down the aisle of his store followed by five teeny, tiny balls of fur.
One puppy was lagging considerably behind. Immediately the little boy singled out the lagging, limping puppy and said, “What’s wrong with that little dog?”
The store owner explained that the veterinarian had examined the little puppy and had discovered it didn’t have a hip socket. It would always limp. It would always be lame.
The little boy became excited. “That is the puppy that I want to buy.”
The store owner said, “No, you don’t want to buy that little dog. If you really want him, I’ll just give him to you.”
The little boy got quite upset. He looked straight into the store owner’s eyes, pointing his finger, and said, “I don’t want you to give him to me. That little dog is worth every bit as much as all the other dogs and I’ll pay full price. In fact, I’ll give you $2.37 now, and 50 cents a month until I have him paid for.”
The store owner countered, “You really don’t want to buy this little dog. He is never going to be able to run and jump and play with you like the other puppies.”
To his surprise, the little boy reached down and rolled up his pant leg to reveal a badly twisted, crippled left leg supported by a big metal brace. He looked up at the store owner and softly replied, “Well, I don’t run so well myself, and the little puppy will need someone who understands!”
We ALL need is someone who understands us!!!
Story
The Flute Boy
There was once a boy who loved to play the flute. Whenever he played the flute, people would come out of their houses to listen to him. Even animals would forget their fear of humans and follow the sound of his flute. At times when the boy was very happy, his music would become magical. As he played, flowers would open up their petals and tiny fairies would fly out and dance to the melody of his flute. He spread much joy wherever he went and so was loved by all.
One day the flute boy was passing by the king’s palace. The young princess who was very proud and naughty was standing at the window deep in her thoughts. On hearing the beautiful melody of the boy’s flute, she looked down and saw the flute boy. To her surprise she saw flowers opening and fairies jumping and dancing to the melody of the boy’s flute. “What a wonderful toy!” she exclaimed. “I must have it.” Picking up her skirts, she ran down the steps and out into the garden where the flute boy was playing his lute. Going up to him the princess asked him to sell his flute to her.
The boy stopped playing his flute and smiled at her. “Certainly you can have the flute,” he said. “I don’t want any money for it. But, he added, “there is one condition.” At first the princess got angry when the boy spoke of a condition. But she was bewitched by the flute that she asked the boy what his condition was. The boy said, “This is not an ordinary flute. For good things to happen around you, you must have love in your heart. You must play the flute to give joy to others and not for your own selfish pleasure.” So saying he bowed down and handed over the flute to the princess.
The princess snatched the flute from him and ran to another part of the garden. “What a stupid boy he is,” she thought. “How can he know what I am thinking of? Why should I think of other people? Nothing is more important than my own amusement.” With these negative thoughts in her mind, she started playing the flute. Immediately a flower opened up but instead of a fairy a big spider jumped out and started to spin a web around her. At the same time, a black and orange wasp flew out of another flower and stung the princess right on the tip of her nose. Squealing with pain, the princess threw down the flute and ran back to the palace. The little flute boy who had been watching the whole scene from the other side of the garden, felt very sorry for her. He knew that she had not followed the condition that he had laid down. He picked up the flute from where the princess had dropped it and walked away. As he again started playing the flute, melodious notes changed the whole atmosphere and filled it with love and peace.
Back in the palace, the little princess now in great pain sat rubbing her stung nose, tears streaming down her cheeks. She gradually realised that she was selfish and unkind.
She decided to turn over a new leaf and slowly began to become gentle, kind and generous girl and soon everyone started loving her.
Song
Love all serve all
Listen to the call of the Lord
When you love the Lord then you must love all
When you serve the Lord you must serve all
