Bridges Instead of Fences

Once upon a time, two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict.  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 ofsilence.

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,” the man said.  “Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there.  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’s 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 curing beside the barn?  I want you to build me a fence — an 8-foot fence — so I won’t need to see his place anymore.  That’ll show him.”

The carpenter said, “I think I understand the situation, and I’ll be able to do a job that pleases you.”  The older brother had to go into town for supplies, 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 at all.  Instead, the carpenter had built 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,” he said.

The two brothers met at the middle of the bridge, 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 got a lot of other projects for you,” said the older brother.

“I’d love to stay on,” the carpenter said, “but I have so many more bridges to build.”