It was the middle of a long month and the mother of a 6 yr old was stressing over her financial shortcomings. Aware of her tension the young boy asked his mother what was troubling her so. Putting on her best reassuring smile, she told him that things were just a little tight but they would make it. They always did. With a sparkle in his eye, the young lad said, "I know Mom. I could sell my chicken." His mother smiled and replied, "No son. You got that baby chick for Easter. You have raised it and now it is your pet." Determined the son responded. "No Mom, when times are tough you do what you have to do." Grabbing his coat and his pet chicken he went out the door. He new that in order to get the most for his chicken he had to go to the affluent part of the neighborhood.

He walked down the street laying his hand on the tops of all the cars until he found one that was warm, indicating the residents would be home.

He rang the door bell, but no one answered. Knocking on the door he waited. Still no one answered.

Determined to sell his chicken he tried the door handle and found it unlocked.

Entering the home he looked down a long hallway. Seeing two people in the bedroom at the end of the hall, he started to speak. About that time, a car door slammed and the woman realizing her husband was home early told her guest to get in the closet. Running down the hall she notices the boy holding the chicken.

Puzzled but with no time to inquire she puts him in the closet with her guest and tells them both, "Be Quiet.

" and leaves. After a few moments the young boy says to the stranger, "It sure is dark in here?" The stranger replies, "Yes it is. Please be quiet.

" Thinking quickly the boy asks, "Hey Mister, wanna buy a chicken?" The stranger replies, "No thank you. Just please be quiet." Seizing the opportunity, the boy raises his voice and asks.

"ARE YOU sure you don't wanna buy a chicken?" Startled the man says, "Okay, okay, I'll buy your chicken. How much do you want?" "10 dollars." the boy replies. "Ten dollars." he whispers.

"He is sure not worth ten dollars to me." Again raising his voice the boy says, "WELL He CERTainly is worth ten dollars to me!" The man says, "Okay, okay, I'll give you ten dollars. Just PLEASE be quiet.

" and hands the boy a five and five ones. The boy hands him the chicken.

A few moments later the boy says, "Sure is Dark in here." The man replies. "Yes it is.

Please be quiet?" The boy then asks the stranger, "Hey Mister, wanna sell that chicken?" The stanger replies, "How much would you give me?" The boy says, "A dollar." "A dollar." the man whispers.

"He's worth more than a dollar." Raising his voice the boy replies "HE'S NOT worth more than a dollar to me!" The man concedes, "Okay, okay, he's yours for a dollar. Now please, please be quiet.

" Moments later the boy says, "Sure is dark in here." The stranger replies, "Yes it is. Please be quiet." and the boy responds, "Hey Mister, wanna buy a chicken?".......

Well to make a long story short the boy gets home, has the chicken and 73 dollars. When his mother sees this, she tells him, "I don't even want to know what you did. Put your coat back on and go down to the church and confess your sins." Obediently the boy did as his mother instructed.

Upon entering the church, he found his way to the confessional. Entering it he waited.

Soon the Father said, "Yes, my son." The boy replied, "It sure is dark in here." Angerly, the Father says, "YOU LITTLE CREAP. NOW HOW MUCH DO Y0U WANT?"