Alright, it's a little long...bear with me here. It's by no means original, but it sure as hell is the best joke ever.
Once there was a boy named Zach. Zach was born into a very poor family. They didn't have much money for new clothes or video games or internet access, so Zach had to get his entertainment by joining a club at his high school, where he was just beginning his freshman year. He'd been a rec diver in middle school, so he thought he might enjoy putting on a little muscle by joining the swim team. There were only ten or so people on the JV team so he made it easily, despite his inexperience. He came to practice after school everyday and worked out as hard as he could before going to work for his family's survival, because he believed in going all out in everything he did. He was no shining star at first, but over time, he came to be the fastest swimmer on the team. Coach did not fail to notice this, and promoted him to the varsity team (much to the dismay of the seniors onboard).
In the meantime, he wore the same gray swimsuit everyday, and he never did anything but school, swim, work, chores, sleep. His mother gave birth to a little brother in October just a month before the county tournament.
Unfortunately, they can't make it to his meet that day. He's up on the blocks and ready to go. They blow the whistle and he's off. . .swimming. . .faster and faster. . .there's only one guy keeping with him at the flip-turn. He floors it back, but oh! he gets a cramp at the last moment. Nonetheless, he snags second place and a new Personal Record.
After the race, Coach comes up behind him and wraps his towel around him and slaps him on the shoulder.
"You made second! You know what this means don't you! You're going to state!"
"Wow! Really?" he replies.
"Yes, but there's one thing. You need to bring $50 by the first day of December to pay for registration."
"Oh, I don't know about that, Coach," he says, questioningly, eyes downcast, "we aren't exactly the richest folk in the world."
"Oh, come on man, it's just $50. I'm sure your dad will give it to you if you ask really nicely. And if you can't come up with it all, I'll give you a few bucks just to get to see you swim like that again!"
"Oh, thanks Coach. I'll ask him."
So he goes home to his dad, who just happens to be in his chair making calls.
"Dad, guess what!" he begins.
"What, son?"
"I made second place in the county meet!"
"That's great! I wish I could swim like that! I guess that means you get to go to state?"
"It sure does. . . ," and he sighs, "but I need fifty dollars for registration. . ."
"Oh, no worries, son, we want to see you succeed. I'm sure we can sc##%# it together. . . ."
". . .by next week."
"Well, there are going to be hardships, but we can do it."
So they cut back on food, stopped going to the movies, and had a small yard sale, and within the week they had fifty dollars. Zach went in to see Coach with the money.
"Well, Coach, we had to go through so many hardships last week, skipping lunches and working overtime, but I got the fifty dollars. We're going to state!"
Of course, the baby got a rare early case of colic and once again the family could not attend the meet. He rode in Coach's car to the state capital, receiving a pep talk the whole way.