SECOND HAND SWEETS

An old man was in hospital recovering from a major operation. A Christian boy had volunteered to visit patients who didn't get many visitors. The old man was one such patient and the lad visited him three times a week and enjoyed their chats. The old man would always have some sweets to offer the young lad. One week, the old man was due to be discharged and on the eve of his departure, the lad came and sat down next to him. The old man was so excited at the prospect of going home that he'd forgotten to provide any sweets. He did have a bag of peanuts though and, somewhat embarrassed, he offered them to the lad. The lad listened to the old man talking about what he'd do when he got back home and munched on the peanuts. When it was time for the lad to go, the old man, seeing that he'd finished the bag of peanuts, remarked how hungry he must be and added: "I don't actually like peanuts, so I just suck the chocolate off them."

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