An old southern 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, 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: a Bible, a silver dollar, a bottle of whisky and a
Playboy magazine.
"I'll just hide behind the door," the old preacher said to himself, "when
he comes home from school this afternoon, 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 businessman, and that would be okay, too. But if he picks up the
bottle, he's going to be a no-good drunkard, and, Lord, what a shame
that would be. And worst of all, if he picks up that magazine he's
gonna be a skirt-chasin' bum."
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 it 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 be a Congressman!"