A Story of Two Brothers

[LeonaS]

Once upon a time 2 brothers, John, the elder, and Tom, who lived on adjoining farms, fell into conflict. They had lived 40 years sharing machinery and trading labor and goods without a hitch. The problems began with a small misunderstanding which grew into a major difference, finally exploding 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 have a few small jobs I could help you with?" "Yes" said John. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor, in fact it's my 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. 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 an 8 ft. fence, so I won't need to see his place or his face anymore." Thecarpenter said "I think I understand. Show me the nails and a post hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."

John had to go to town so he helped the carpenter get the materials, then he was off. The carpenter worked hard all day, measuring, sawing and hammering. About sunset John returned as the carpenter was finishing his job. The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped.

There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge, stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work, handrails and all. And the younger brother, Tom, was coming across, hands outstretched. "You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done." The two brothers 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 John. "I'd love to stay on," the carpenter replied, "but I have many more bridges to build."

(Now, who could that mysterious carpenter have been? )

[Psalm3720]

Once upon a time 2 brothers, John, the elder, and Tom, who lived on adjoining farms, fell into conflict. They had lived 40 years sharing machinery and trading labor and goods without a hitch. The problems began with a small misunderstanding which grew into a major difference, finally exploding 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 have a few small jobs I could help you with?" "Yes" said John. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor, in fact it's my 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. 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 an 8 ft. fence, so I won't need to see his place or his face anymore." Thecarpenter said "I think I understand. Show me the nails and a post hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."

John had to go to town so he helped the carpenter get the materials, then he was off. The carpenter worked hard all day, measuring, sawing and hammering. About sunset John returned as the carpenter was finishing his job. The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped.

There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge, stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work, handrails and all. And the younger brother, Tom, was coming across, hands outstretched. "You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done." The two brothers 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 John. "I'd love to stay on," the carpenter replied, "but I have many more bridges to build."

(Now, who could that mysterious carpenter have been? )

I wonder if his name begins with a J.

[LeonaS]

I believe that might be right!

[Isaiah 6:8]

very cool!

[MorningGlory]

What a great story! It made me smile as I read it.

[MorningGlory]

Once upon a time 2 brothers, John, the elder, and Tom, who lived on adjoining farms, fell into conflict. They had lived 40 years sharing machinery and trading labor and goods without a hitch. The problems began with a small misunderstanding which grew into a major difference, finally exploding 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 have a few small jobs I could help you with?" "Yes" said John. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor, in fact it's my 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. 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 an 8 ft. fence, so I won't need to see his place or his face anymore." Thecarpenter said "I think I understand. Show me the nails and a post hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."

John had to go to town so he helped the carpenter get the materials, then he was off. The carpenter worked hard all day, measuring, sawing and hammering. About sunset John returned as the carpenter was finishing his job. The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped.

There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge, stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work, handrails and all. And the younger brother, Tom, was coming across, hands outstretched. "You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done." The two brothers 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 John. "I'd love to stay on," the carpenter replied, "but I have many more bridges to build."

(Now, who could that mysterious carpenter have been? )

I wonder if his name begins with a J.

[ladypeartree]

[josephine tomczuk]

lovely story, i shall retell it to others:emot-handshake: