Barry is a middle-aged man who is going through a very difficult time in his life. His wife died a few days ago. Barry was so say that he even closed his company.
Barry sat around all day. His friends and family tried to encourage him to start doing new things and enjoy life, but they couldn't. One day, Barry's neighbor, a very old woman named Gertrude, saw him from her yard. She asked him to come closer and said, "Barry, look at this fence(篱笆). I only built it two years ago, but it is falling apart. You are free now. would you like to fix it for me?" Barry was angry. She knew the situation he was in. he was the one who agreed. When he finished, she was very thankful. Barry smiled for the first time in months.
"Wonderful! But could you paint it for me?" asked Gertrude. Barry couldn't believe she was asking for more help. But because he respected(尊重)her so much, he agreed.
Over the next few weeks, Gertrude kept giving Barry jobs, he repaired her door and even made some wooden furniture(家具) for her. All the neighbors passed and told Barry what a beautiful job he had done. Barry no longer felt that life was hopeless. He felt happy with his work. He thanked Gertrude. He realized that she was really wise. She knew that sadness could be eased by simply getting busy with something.
