The Story Book – Got Inspired

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.
Thefarmer’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.”