The document tells a story about a boy who was given a bag of nails by his father and told to hammer one into the fence every time he loses his temper. Over time, as the boy learns to control himself, fewer nails are hammered into the fence each day. Eventually, the boy is able to remove all the nails from the fence. His father tells him that while the nails can be removed, the holes they left behind will always remain, just as hurtful words can leave wounds that never fully heal. The rest of the document contains advice and superstitions about friendship, love, and life.