phobia

THE FENCE

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. 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."

--
P.H.O.B.I.A.
Panic/Anxiety support group
http://community.nj.com/cc/phobia

If someone listens, or stretches out a hand, or whispers a kind word of
encouragement, or attempts to understand a lonely person,
extraordinary things begin to happen.

~Loretta Girzatlis~

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weeks

Beautiful, Cathy!!!
smiles,
Elise

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gt

Somewhat of a Bagger Vance story.

Loved it.

gt

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