Troubles Tree
Once upon a time a businessman
hired a carpenter to help him to restore an old farmhouse. The carpenter had 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 the
businessman drove the carpenter home, the carpenter sat in stony silence.
On arriving, the carpenter
invited the businessman in to meet his family. The businessman was reluctant to
enter being aware of the bad day that the carpenter have had, still to keep his
heart, he reluctantly entered the house. As they walked toward the front door,
the carpenter paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of some
branches with both hands. As he opened 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 the
businessman to the car. They passed the tree and the businessman’s curiosity
got the better of him. He asked the carpenter what was so magical about the
tree that transformed his character?. "Oh, that's my trouble tree,"
he replied. "I know I can't help having troubles on the job, but one
thing's for sure, troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the
children. So, I just hang them(troubles) up on the tree every night when I come home.
Then in the morning I pick them (troubles) up again." Then he smiled and said,
"Funny thing is, 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."
