A man's son was turning five, and his father came to him and said, "Son, you're a good little fellow. I'd like to get you something nice this year. I can get you a Big Wheel or a swingset, or...what do you want son?" The boy goes, "I want a pink ping pong paddle." The dad says, "Son...a pink ping pong paddle...I can get you that but are you sure, wouldn't you rather have something else?" "A big wheel I guess." So he gets a big wheel trike.When the kid turns thirteen, the dad comes to him again and says, "Boy, you're a kind son, and I'd like to get you something nice for your thirteenth birthday. What would you like? A playstation 3, or a computer, or a new bike, or something else?" "Dad, I want a pink ping pong paddle." "A pink ping pong paddle? Son are you sure? You don't want a computer or something?" "Computer'd be fine dad." So he gets the boy a computer.When he turns sixteen, he comes to the boy and says, "Son, you've turned sixteen and getting your drivers license. Would you like a car this year son?" "Dad, I want a pink ping pong paddle." The dad is astounded. "A pink ping pong paddle? Are you sure? You could have a car, boy!" "Car'd be great dad." So he gets him a car.His son turns twenty and moves into an apartment. "As a moving-in gift son, I'd like to get you something. A couch, or a bed, or...whatever you want son." "Dad, all I want is a pink ping pong paddle." "A pink ping pong paddle? Wouldn't you rather have something new for your apartment?" "Couch'd be great dad." So he gets his son a couch.A few years pass and his son turns twenty-five. The son's got some rare condition and he's just got a few days to live. His father says, "Son...I know you have little time left on this earth, and you've been a great son...I'll get you whatever you want...anything, you name it." The son thinks for a moment and says, "Dad, I just want a pink ping pong paddle." The father is astounded, and says, "Son, I don't get it. You've been asking for a pink ping pong paddle since you were a little boy...why is it so important to you? What do you want with it? Why do you want it?"The son sits up in bed, and says, "Dad...the reason I want...a pink ping pong paddle is..." and he dies.