A Story of Two Farmers

2018 by Ed Chasteen

 

The two families lived on farms close by each other. They visited back and forth for years. Their children played together. Over time the children grew up and moved away. When their wives both died, the two old farmers had only each other to talk to. They sat up late many nights.

One day farmer Bill found a new calf on farmer Joe’s farm. Bill claimed the calf belonged to him. The two men got into a bitter argument. Each went to his house. They no longer spoke. Then farmer Bill dug a ditch between their farms and filled the ditch with water.

When farmer Joe saw the ditch, he bought lumber and ordered a visiting craftsman to build a fence high enough that he could not see the ditch.  “I will make you happy,” said the craftsman.

Joe then went into town to do some business. When he returned after a few days, Joe saw what the craftsman had made and grew angry. Not a wall to hide the river. But a bridge to span it. Before he could vent his anger on the craftsman, Joe spotted Bill coming toward him on the bridge.

“Joe! You’re a better man than I am. You built a bridge to invite me back. I think that calf belongs to you.”