STORIES

TWINS

(A Short Story)

They were male twins, aged six. Their parents had been very fond of them from the moment they were born. Both parents were schoolteachers and loved their children deeply. The neighbours also liked the twins and enjoyed mingling with them. Seeing and talking to the boys filled everyone with joy and affection!

Whenever their mother called them by their names, both twins would respond in a unified tone and run towards her happily, saying, “Mother… Mother…! We are coming!”

What a beautiful experience it was for their mother!

Although the twins lived in separate bodies, their minds seemed to be united in their thoughts and actions.

Time passed under the guise of changing seasons, and the twins eventually entered higher secondary school.

One day, while they were having supper with their parents at the dining table, the elder son, who had been born two hours earlier than his brother, gently asked his parents, “My beloved Papa and Mama, whom do you love more, me or him?”

Although it was a simple question, it suddenly alarmed both parents. However, they controlled their emotions and responded calmly.

The mother smiled at the elder boy and said, “My dear, why do you ask such a silly and petty question? You are both precious gifts given to us by an unseen power. We cherish you as we cherish our two eyes. Both eyes are equally invaluable, whether left or right. Similarly, we value you both equally and will continue to do so until we leave this fertile land.”

The mother’s voice trembled with emotion, and tears rolled down her cheeks. She embraced both boys with overwhelming love and affection.

Their father watched the scene patiently. He, too, embraced the twins with a smile and said, “My dear boys, there are no barriers to love in our hearts. To us, you are equally precious diamonds, and the value of neither of you can ever diminish.”

With those words, he gently brought his speech to an end.

The elder boy then apologised to his parents, overwhelmed by a feeling of guilt. In a low, tearful voice, he said, “Our beloved parents, please forget my childish words and forgive me. Now I understand your imperishable love and affection for us, which remained unread by an immature son like me. I will never repeat such foolishness with parents like you, who shower their sons with the light of love and affection.”

He embraced both his father and mother with renewed joy. The parents embraced their sons in return, and they all smiled and laughed happily, as though they were celebrating a joyful family occasion.