Building Bridges

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. 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 curing by the barn?

I want you to build me a fence -- an 8-foot fence -- so I

won't need to see his place anymore. Cool him down, anyhow."

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 for supplies, 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."

~Author Unknown~

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