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 days 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 go
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 across, 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 on 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."
