Long ago, 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. 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 the older brother’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?
"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my younger brother’s farm. Last week there was a meadow between us. He recently took his bulldozer to dig a channel to let the river flow through 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 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. Lend me some nails and a post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."
The older brother helped the carpenter get the materials and then went off to town. The carpenter worked hard all that day, measuring, sawing and 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.
Instead there stood a BRIDGE! A bridge that stretched from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work, handrails and all! His younger brother, who happened to be on the other side at that time, came running toward them, his hands outstretched…
"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done to hurt my brother."
The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in middle to hug each other, as tears of joy ran down their cheeks. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox onto his shoulder and walk away.
"No, wait! Stay a few days the brothers jointly said….. We have a lot of other work for you…
The carpenter smiled and said, I'd love to stay on - "But I have many more bridges to build."
Briha
