The document tells a story about a boy who has a difficult temper. His father gives him nails and tells him to hammer one into the fence each time he loses his patience. The first day he hammers 37 nails. Over time, as he learns to control himself, fewer nails are hammered each day. Eventually he is able to remove all the nails, having learned self-control. However, his father notes that while the nails can be removed, the holes they left in the fence will remain, just as hurtful words can leave wounds that don't fully heal. The document then provides various life lessons and advice.