Short Inspirational Story - BUILDING BRIDGES
A long time ago two brothers who lived on next-door on a farm
fell into conflict. It was the first serious clash between them in 40 years of
farming side by side, sharing equipment, and trading manual labor and merchandise
as required with no hindrance whatsoever.
Then the long alliance destroyed. It started with a small
quarrel but it slowly cultivated into a major difference, and finally it resulted
into a swapping of sour words and weeks of silence.
One fine day, early in the morning there was a thump on
John's door. He opened the door to discover a man with a carpenter's toolbox.
"I need a few days work," he said.
"Perchance you would have some small jobs around the
farm. Could I facilitate you?"
"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have some
work for you. Glance across the stream at that farm. That's my neighbor, in
fact, he’s my younger brother. Last week there was a pasture linking us and he
took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us.
Well, he may have done this out of spitefulness for 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, nonetheless."
The carpenter said, "I think I comprehend the circumstances.
Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that delights
you."
The older brother had to go to town for supplies, so he
helped the carpenter get the resources geared up and then he was off for the
day.
The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing,
nailing.
About sundown when the farmer arrived, the carpenter had
just completed his job. The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped.
There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge... a
bridge elongated 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 stretched out.
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 lift 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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