Bridges and Walls

Two brothers lived on adjoining farms. They had farmed side by side for forty years, sharing machinery and trading labor.

Then, the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding, grew into a major difference, and finally exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on the older brother's door. It was a carpenter looking for work.

"I have a job for you," the older brother said. "Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor, my younger brother. Last week he took his bulldozer to the river levee and created a creek between us. I want you to build me a fence—an 8-foot fence—so I won't need to see his place anymore."

The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation."

The older brother helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then went to town for the day. When he returned at sunset, his jaw dropped.

There was no fence. Instead, there was a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other. And coming across it was his younger brother, his hand outstretched.

"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done," the younger brother said. The two brothers met in the middle and shook hands.

They turned to see the carpenter hoisting his toolbox onto his shoulder. "No, wait! Stay a few days," the older brother said. "I have a lot of other projects for you."

"I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but I have many more bridges to build."