An old country preacher had a teenage son, and it was getting time the
boy should give some thought to choosing a profession. Like many young
men his age, the boy didn't really know what he wanted to do, and he
didn't seem too concerned about it.
One day, while the boy was away at school, his father decided to try an
experiment. He went into the boy's room and placed on his study table
four objects.
1. A Bible.
2. A silver dollar.
3. A bottle of whiskey.
4. And a Playboy magazine.
'I'll just hide behind the door,' the old preacher said to himself.
'When he comes home from school today, I'll see which object he picks
up.
If it's the Bible, he's going to be a preacher like me, and what a blessing that
would be! If he picks up the dollar, he's going to be a business man, and that
would be okay, too. But if he picks up the bottle, he's going to be a no-good
drunken bum, and Lord, what a shame that would be.
And worst of all if he picks up that magazine he's going to be a skirt-chasing
womanizer.'
The old man waited anxiously, and soon heard his son's foot-steps as he
entered the house whistling and headed for his room.
The boy tossed his books on the bed, and as he turned to leave the room
he spotted the objects on the table. With curiosity in his eye, he
walked over to inspect them.
Finally, he picked up the Bible and placed it under his arm.
He picked up the silver dollar and dropped into his pocket.
He uncorked the bottle and took a big drink, while he admired this
month's centerfold.
'Lord have mercy,' the old preacher disgustedly whispered.
'He's gonna run for Congress.'
