All i want is Peace

He’s a fine looking boy, the man said. That’s my son on the swing in the blue sweater. Then, looking at his watch, he called to his son.

What do you say we go, Todd Todd pleaded, Just five more minutes, Dad. Please, just five more minutes. The man nodded and Todd continued to swing to his heart’s content.

Minutes passed and the father stood and called again to his son, Time to go now Again Todd pleaded, Five more minutes Dad, Just five more minutes. The man smiled and said, Okay.

My, you certainly are a patient father, the woman responded.

The man smiled and then said, My older son Tommy was killed by a drunk driver last year while he was riding his bike near here. I never spent much time with Tommy and now I’d give anything for just five more minutes with him.

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 neighbour; 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 neighbour, 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.