The Carpenter

The Carpenter

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 the older brothers', door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenters' 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 John, 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. He recently 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".

John 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 and 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 that stretched from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work, handrails and all! And the neighbor, Johns' younger brother, was coming toward them, beaming and his hand outstretched; the two brothers met in middle, taking each others' hand.

"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done", exclaimed the younger one.

The two brothers stood  in middle of the bridge, momentarily talking, and then turning, saw the carpenter hoisting his toolbox onto his shoulder.

"No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you", said the older brother.

Turning to leave, the carpenter said, "I'd love to stay on, but I have many more bridges to build".