> The Preachers Son
>
> 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 whisky.
>
> 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 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 this month's centerfold.
>
> "Lord have mercy," the old preacher disgustedly whispered. "He's
> gonna run for Governor of Illinois"