A woodsman walked into a smithy and said, "There's a problem with my ax."
"What's wrong?" asked the blacksmith.
"I think it needs to be sharpened. I can't seem to chop down any trees with it."
"Okay. Leave it here for an hour and I'll sharpen it when I have time."
The woodsman left the ax with the blacksmith and went to the tavern.
An hour later, the woodcutter returned.
"Is my ax sharp?" he asked.
"Yes, it is." said the smith.
Two days later, the man returned from from the forest, frustration painted on his face.
"Is something the matter?" asked the blacksmith.
"The ax still isn't sharp enough," said the woodsman. "I can't cut down any trees."
"Hmm," said the blacksmith. "I'm sorry about that. Leave it with me, and I'll sharpen it again. I'll make sure, this time. Go have a drink on me."
The blacksmith sharpened the ax and used it to chop down a small tree. Then he sharpened it a little more.
When the woodsman returned, the blacksmith assured him the ax was as sharp as could be and the woodsman left happy.
Two days later, the woodsman returned, his face red in anger.
"You swore to me that the ax was sharp," he exploded, "but I still can't cut down any trees with it!"
"That's impossible," said the blacksmith. "I made sure the ax worked before I gave it to you. I chopped down a small tree out back."
"I don't believe you," said the woodcutter. "I know there is a problem with this tool. Let me show you."
The two men went out behind the blacksmith's shop and found a small tree. The woodcutter picked up his ax and swung it, barely making a mark on the tree.
"What are you doing?" Asked the blacksmith.
"Showing you how dull the ax is," answered the woodsman as he took another swing.
The blacksmith sighed and his shoulders slumped. "It's not dull," he said. "You're just holding it backwards."
The woodcutter reversed the ax in his hand and felled the sapling in a single swing.
Before he could leave, the blacksmith shared one thought.
"A good tool makes all the difference," he said, "but it can't change what you're doing wrong."
