The Trouble Tree

[penelope]

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. Upon 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 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 them up, there ain't nearly as many as I remember
hanging up the night before".

-- Unknown