The Builder's Sequence

A builder contracted for a house: foundation, walls, roof.

The foundation was laid. The walls were raised. But a shortage of timber meant no roof was possible.

The builder had a rule: a roofless house was worse than no house. Water would damage the walls. The walls would crack the foundation.

He dismantled the walls. He covered the foundation. He waited for timber.

"You've undone your own work," the owner said.

"I've preserved the possibility of completing it."