Brothers

There were once two brothers, Aman and Fazier, who lived in the country--far away from the cities. There, they shared what had been there father's farm and grew figs and grapes and olives.

They not only shared the land but they shared also in the work of one another's farms, and because of that both farms prospered. If one needed a tool, the other would gladly lend it. If one needed help with harvest the other's family would all pitch in together.

In the middle of the farms there was a great clearing where the two families would meet for grad suppers at harvest time to celebrate their life and the wonderful farm that their father had blessed them with. The brother's would sit, side by side at the head of the great table and lead the family in prayers and toasts.

Then, for a reason that no one knows for sure, a terrible rift began to grow between the hearts of the brothers. Maybe one borrow a tool too long, maybe one could not help the other in time of need, but whatever the reason bitterness and resentment began to grow strong within them.

Before too long, the brothers no longer would even speak with one another. In fact the older brother drew a great furrow in the earth between the two farms. He wanted the separation between them to be known to the other.

Then the younger brother took it one step further. He paid men to divert the waters from a nearby river to drive itself into the furrow. Before long, a great and turbulent creek grew between the two farms.

The harvest came and went that year, and even though the wives and children of both brothers worked long and extra hours it was not as plentiful as it had been. Also the children missed seeing their cousins and celebrating with them at dinner. But the table was stored away, grey from disuse, and neither brother would listen to his wife's council for making peace. Their hearts were like stone, and their minds were stubborn and filled with pride and the hurt that each had caused the other.

The next spring as the creek swelled the elder brother was visited by a carpenter. He asked if the brother had any odd jobs that needed done in exchange for lodging and food for a few days. The brother considered and then cam up with a grand idea.

There was old wood being stored in the barn, part of it was the enormous harvest dinner table, and the brother told the carpenter that he would like to have a fence built all along the creek. So high that he wouldn't even have to look at his younger brother's fields ever again. The carpenter agreed.

For many days the brother saw the carpenter laboring in the clearing next to the creek. Sawing, planning, and preparing the wood. Nothing was built, but this was work that needed to be done so that the fence would be strong and stay for many years.

The next day the older brother told the carpenter that he would be going into town to buy extra spring seed, and would be gone for three days. The carpenter said that he would be nearly finished by then, and that the brother could inspect his work on his return. The brother agreed.

Three days later the older brother returned, and was imagining his wonderful fence, when, as he came up to the house he saw, not a fence, but an enormous bridge.

Cursing the carpenter under his breath as he marched out to the bridge the brother was furious. How dare that carpenter do something like this, who was he to disobey the orders of the one who was employing him. As he stormed out to the center of the bridge, his anger a storm around him, he turned to face his own property, looking for the carpenter.

Suddenly behind him a voice called out his name, so loud it made him jump before he recognized it. It was his younger brother. Before he could say anything in response he was dumbfounded as his brother broke into a run and hurried to the bridge. He saw that his brother's face was wet with tears. He charged his older brother with a thick embrace. His voice cracked with chokes as he asked his brother to forgive him, to thank him for showing that he still cared by having this bridge built.

In a rush of emotion the older brother's heart broke as well. He returned the embrace of his brother, and with his own tears confessed that he could not place the anger he had felt, that he could not come up with the reason for it. That he had missed his brother so very much over these years. Their families, who had been watching from their houses on either side were amazed.

That night, they feasted at a new table, right in the middle of the bridge.