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 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
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."
