TWO BROTHERS
Once upon a time, two brothers who lived on adjoining
farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious
rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing
machinery and trading labor and goods as needed
without a hitch.
Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with
a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major
difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange
of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.
One morning there was a knock on John's door. He
opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox.
"I'm looking for a few day's work" he said.
"Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and
there I could help with? Could I help you?"
Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for
you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my
neighbor, in fact, it's my younger brother! Last week
there was a meadow between us and he took his
bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek
between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me,
but I'll do him one better. See that pile of lumber by
the barn? I want you to build me a fence -an 8-foot
fence-so I won't need to see his place or his face
anymore."
The carpenter said, "I think I understand the
situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger
and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you." The
older brother had to go to town, so he helped the
carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off
for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day
measuring, sawing, nailing.
About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter
had just finished his job. The farmer's eyes opened
wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at
all. It was a bridge-a bridge stretching from one
side of the creek to the other!
A fine piece of work, handrails and all! And the
neighbor, his younger brother, was coming toward them,
his hand outstretched. "You are quite a fellow to
build this bridge after all I've said and done." The
two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then
they met in the middle, taking each other's hand.
They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox
onto his shoulder. "No, wait! Stay a few days. I've
a lot of other projects for you," said the older
brother. "I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said,
"but I have many more bridges to build."