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The Dividing Wall
Copyright © All rights reserved
By Ken Chapman, Ph.D.
Ken Chapman & Associates, Inc.
Giving each other the benefit of the doubt can save us a lot of time and
frustration. Two brothers, Paul and David owned a hardware store. The
business had been in their family for generations and was well respected in
the community. One day, Paul had left a couple of dollars sitting on the cash
register and had left the store momentarily to speak with a customer. When he
returned, the money was gone. He asked David, “Did you take the money I left
on the register?” “No,” David replied, “I haven’t seen any money.” “Money
doesn’t just disappear into thin air,” snapped Paul. “Well, apparently it
does when you fail to put it in its proper place,” David snapped back.
The disagreement evolved into a shouting match. Days passed and the
resentment between them continued to grow. They stopped speaking to one
another and eventually the disconnect spread amongst their family and
clientele. So they decided to divide the store in half with a wall. Years
later, a gentleman walked into Paul’s half of the store and looked around.
“Excuse me,” he inquired. “Are you familiar with the hardware store that was
here ten years ago?” “Yes, this is it,” said Paul. “The wall wasn’t here
then, but this is it.” “Well, then I owe you this,” said the man, handing
Paul a couple of dollars. “Let me explain. Ten years ago when I was passing
through this town, I came into this store. I can’t tell you why. I saw some
money just laying on the cash register and I took it. I have turned my life
around since then, but it always bothered me that I stole that money. I’m
here to make it right.”
Paul felt an overwhelming sense of guilt. “Can you do me a favor?” he asked
the man. “Please go next door and tell my brother what you have just told
me.” The stranger obliged and Paul and David finally realized how easy it had
been to destroy their family ties and trust over a mere two dollars. A petty
blame game had robbed them of ten years of friendship.
For more information about Ken Chapman and
Associates’ Leadership Development Programs, contact Ken Chapman at
205.366.0265 or email Ken at
kchapman@leaderscode.com.
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