Life Stories
The Trouble Tree
The carpenter I hired to help me restore an old farmhouse
had just finished a rough 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.
He sat in stony silence while I drove him home.
On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we
walked towards the front door, he paused briefly at a tall
tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands.
Upon opening the door, he underwent an amazing transformation.
His tanned face was wreathed with smiles as he hugged his
two small children and gave his wife a kiss.
He walked me to the car after introducing his family to
me. 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 that I can't help having troubles on the job
but there’s one thing for sure. Troubles don't belong
in the house with my wife and children. Hence, I just hang
them up on the tree every night when I get home. I pick
them up again in the morning. Funny thing is…"
he said with a smile,
"…when I come out in the morning to pick them
up, there are not nearly as many as I remember hanging up
the night before."
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