Fixing the Family Tree

A hillbilly sat at his kitchen table staring at a piece of paper labeled Family Tree.

He scratched his head, looked at it, then looked at his brother sitting across from him.

This thing don’t make no sense, he said.

His brother leaned over. What part?

Well, it says I’m supposed to put Grandpa at the top, then list all his children, then their kids.

Sounds right, his brother said.

The hillbilly frowned.

Yeah, but look here… I got lines crossing everywhere. Some folks show up twice. Some don’t fit at all.

His brother studied the page for a moment.

Then he nodded slowly.

I see the problem.

What? the hillbilly asked.

His brother took the paper, flipped it upside down, and pushed it back.

There you go.

The hillbilly stared at it, eyes widening.

Well I’ll be…

That fixed everything.

His brother leaned back proudly.

Told you.

Sometimes it ain’t the family that’s complicated.

It’s just the direction you’re lookin at it.