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The home of Scouting in Central
and Northern New York
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Scoutmasters
Minutes |
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submitted by: Unknown
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The Trouble Tree |
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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 stony 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. When 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 the 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 things 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'em up, there ain't nearly as many as
I remember hanging up the night before." |
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