The Fight

Two neighbors, a priest and a politician, have argued with each other constantly for years. Finally, their quarrel escalated to the point that they were brought into court. The judge told them that the fighting was disruptive to the peace of the community and that it had to end. It was embarrassing that men in their positions would carry on in such a manner. So there in court he listened to the sorted history of their long argument. First the priest and then the politician stood before the judge and, at great length, explained how the argument had started, how it had grown, and how each had felt the other was the party at fault and how the person telling the tale was the aggrieved party. The judge listened patiently to these lengthy stories. Eventually both men had talked themselves out and the judge was ready to render his decision.

The judge told both of them that their argument was essentially a petty disagreement that both men had allowed to grow into something monumental over the years because neither will ever willing to concede a point to the other. Each needed to stop the childish behavior, recognize each was equally wrong, equally right, shake hands, forgive each other, and say something to the other of good.

The priest stepped forward, offered his hand to the politician, and said, " My wish for you is exactly what you wish for me."

The politician turned to the judge and said, "He's starting it again."