Here's one for the cats..
"The Trouble Tree"
>
> The carpenter I hired to help me restore an old farmhouse
> had just finished a rough first day on the job. A flat tire made
> him lose an hour of work, his electric saw quit, and now his
> ancient pickup truck refused to start.
>
> While I drove him home, he sat in stoney silence. On arriving,
> he invited me in to meet his family.
>
> As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a
> small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands.
>
> After opening the door, he underwent an amazing transformation.
> His tanned face was wreathed in smiles, and he hugged his
> two small children and gave his wife a kiss.
>
> Afterward, he walked me to my car. We passed the tree,
> and my curiosity got the better of me.
> I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.
>
> "Oh, that's my trouble tree," he replied. "I know I can't help
> having troubles on the job, but one thing for sure,
> troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the children.
>
> So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home.
> Then in the morning, I pick them up again." "Funny thing is,"
> he smiled, "when I come out in the morning to pick them up,
> there aren't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night
> before."
>
> Author unknown. |
