“Action speaks louder than words, but not nearly as often.”

—Mark Twain

Today’s story is contributed by Larry Winget.

I was walking the dogs, and my kids. Tyler was ten, Patrick was six. We played our traditional game,Grossed out? Of course, so were we. That was the point…and we loved it.

“How much to eat a dog biscuit?” I proposed, pulling a dog treat from my pocket. Tyler’s reply was immediate, “I will if you will, Dad!”

I popped that dog biscuit into my mouth without hesitation! The boys were shocked; the dogs stared in wonder as I chewed up their bacon liver treat.



“Ok, now it’s your turn,” I said, handing a biscuit to Tyler. He glanced flippantly at the canine cracker, then scoffed, “No way Dad, I was just kidding!”

“But I wasn’t,” I said sternly. He could see the look in my eye, the game was over.

“Son, there is absolutely nothing more important in this world than sticking to your word. If by nothing else, great men are made on this one principle. You will eat this dog biscuit, or we will stand out here all night until you do.”

After 20 minutes of grousing, bargaining, and anything else he could think of to avoid the biscuit, he reluctantly consumed it. He was not happy with me that day, but to this day — he thanks me for it.

Love you Tyler,

Dad