TEMPTATION

AN OLD COUNTRY PREACHER HAD A TEENAGE SON,

AND IT WAS GETTING TIME THE BOY SHOULD

GIVE SOME THOUGHT TO CHOOSING A PROFESSION.

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.  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 FOOTSTEPS

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 THE MAGAZINE'S CENTERFOLD.

"LORD HAVE MERCY,"

THE OLD PREACHER WHISPERED.

"HE'S GONNA RUN FOR CONGRESS."