Two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict after many years of cooperation. Their disagreement grew until they were no longer speaking. A carpenter arrived looking for work and the older brother hired him to build a fence, hoping to never have to see his brother again. However, the carpenter built a bridge connecting the two farms instead, reuniting the estranged brothers.

1. Once upon a time, two brothers who lived on adjoining
farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in forty
years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and
trading labor and goods as needed without hitch. Then
the long collaboration fell a part.

2. 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.

3. One morning, there was a knock on Juan’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 could have some small jobs here
and there I could help with? Could I help you?’
One morning, there was a knock on Juan’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 could have some small jobs here
and there I could help with? Could I help you?’

4. “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.”

5. “Last week there was a meadow
between us and he took his
bulldozer to the river levee and now
there is creek between us.”
“Last week there was a meadow
between us and he took his
bulldozer to the river levee and now
there is creek between us.”

6. “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 a fence – an
eight-foot fence – so I won’t need to see his
place or his face anymore.”
“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 a fence – an
eight-foot fence – so I won’t need to see his
place or his face anymore.”

7. 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.”

8. The older brother had to go
to town, so he helped the
carpenter get materials ready
and then he was off for the
day.
The older brother had to go
to town, so he helped the
carpenter get materials ready
and then he was off for the
day.

9. The carpenter worked hard all that day
measuring, sawing, nailing. About sunset when
the farmer returned, the carpenter had just
finished his job.

10. 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!
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!

11. A fine piece of work, handrails and all …. And the
neighbor, his young brother, was coming across,
his hand stretched. “You are quite a fellow to build
this bridge after all I’ve said and done.”

12. The two brother stood at each end of the
bridge, and then they met in the middle,
taking each other’s hand.

13. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on
his shoulder.
“No, wait! Stay a few days. I’ve a lot of other projects
for you,” said the older brother.
“I’d love to stay on,” the carpenter said, “but, I have
many more bridges to build.”

14. Reflection:
“For if you forgive men their sins, your heavenly
Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive
men their sins, neither will your Father forgive your
sins”
(Matthew 6:14-15)
Reflection:
“For if you forgive men their sins, your heavenly
Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive
men their sins, neither will your Father forgive your
sins”
(Matthew 6:14-15)

15. Sometimes you and I have a disagreement with our
brothers and sisters in Christ. When that happens, we
often build a fence between ourselves and them. We stop
talking to them. We don't want to see them. We don't
want to be around them. That isn't what Jesus wants us
to do. Instead of fences, he wants us to build a bridge of
love between us.
Dear Father, we know it is your desire for us to live
together in peace and harmony. Help us to love one
another.

16. “He that cannot forgive others break
the bridge which he must pass
himself; for every man has need to
be forgiven.”
- Thomas Fuller

17. Building Bridges
Source: More Stories of Life and Laughter by Fr. Bel San Luis,
SVD, Logos Publications. Inc., Manila, 2013
Source: More Stories of Life and Laughter by Fr. Bel San Luis,
SVD, Logos Publications. Inc., Manila, 2013