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Sounds like that bridge builder needs to visit
(Rangernet) too.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2002 12:22
AM
Subject: [RR] #58 The Builder
#58 from Harold's file . . .
The
Builder
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 posthole 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."
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