Barnraising

​An old farmer who was also a master craftsman had an accident in his shop one day.

It was a matter of taking one’s mind off the task at hand for a split second; luckily the injury wasn’t life-threatening.

His best apprentice nursed his teacher back to health, and told him of another incident that occurred; a fire destroyed a barn on the neighboring farm.

While the master was recuperating, the apprentice took charge of the new barnraising.

Hearing of this news the master asked his apprentice what will happen after the new barn is rebuilt.

“We are going to have a community potluck with you being invited so the town can see that you have recovered.”

“What if I haven’t recovered by then?”

“You will certainly still be invited” said the apprentice.

“But surely I can’t show my face there, it would be too embarrassing for me to go.”

“We will ask someone else to go in your place.”

“...and what if you don’t find anyone to take my place?”

“Don’t ask such thoughtless questions.”

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