The Fence

                    There was a little boy with a bad temper. His father gave
                    him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper,
                    to hammer a nail in the back fence.

                    The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Then it
                    gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his
                    temper than to drive those nails into the fence.

                    Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at
                    all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the
                    boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his
                    temper.

                    The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell
                    his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by
                    the hand and led him to the fence.

                    He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes
                    in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say
                    things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a
                    knife in a man and draw it out. It won't matter how many times
                    you say I'm sorry, the wound is still there. A verbal wound is as bad
                    as a physical one. Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They
                    make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they
                    share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to
                    us.

                    Show your friends how much you care. Send this to everyone you
                    consider a FRIEND

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