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
businessman 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."