Nails in the Fence: A Story About Anger

The next time you are tempted to say something hurtful to someone just because you’re angry, you might want to stop and remember this story: it’s a keeper. Read it here.

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.

The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily 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.”

The little boy then understood how powerful his words were. He looked up at his father and said “I hope you can forgive me father for the holes I put in you.”

“Of course I can,” said the father.

Read more: Spirit, Inspiration

Author Unknown, found online at Inspiration Peak.com.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Jay D.

4:51PM PST on Jan 1, 2012

I LIKE STORIES LIKE THESE,MY GRANDPARENTS HAD A FEW THAT I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER

send a green star

KS G.

4:01AM PDT on Apr 22, 2011

Thanks for the article.

Bon L.

5:35AM PST on Jan 8, 2011

Thanks for the info.

Janine F.

6:16AM PDT on May 7, 2010

thanks

8:38PM PDT on Mar 28, 2010

Watch your anger---control it at a young age!

Don M.

8:10PM PDT on Sep 2, 2008

I tried sending this once and it disappeared so I hope you get this now. All is well here. Tomorrow I take Joe for the day. I haven't seen him yet. If the house is not satisfactory for you, Audrey, it may be better to seek another. The storms have stayed away, Praise the Lord. Herran haltuun. Love you all.

8:04PM PDT on Sep 2, 2008

Tan A.

4:38PM PDT on Aug 13, 2008

i have a very serious problem, i am age 52 and i am still biting my nails. can someone help me please. my finger nails are very awful. i tried using the nail biter polish it helps and for few year i had beautiful nails. later i started to bite again. i am very embrassed to show people my nails in public.