THE TROUBLE TREE
I hired a plumber to help me restore an old farmhouse, and after he had
just finished a rough first day on the job: (a flat tire made him lose an
hour of work & his electric drill quit) his ancient one ton 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 thing's for sure, those 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
and ask God to take care of them. 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 aren't
nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before."
The author of this story as well as its real name is unknown to me. I got it by e-mail.
So, if you know the author or the proper name, please tell me.