~ TWO BROTHERS ~

Two Brothers
By Author Unknown (thanks to Claire for submitting)

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
conflict. 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 tool box. "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 toward them, 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 onto 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.