Twin Brothers (A retelling of the The Twin Brothers by Joseph Jacobs)

The Twin Brothers(A retelling of the The Twin Brothers by Joseph Jacobs)Long ago, the Yoruba people cherished the Olofin, Ajaka, their king, who adored his favorite wife, who was due to have his child, the rightful heir to his domain. Horrified, however, his wife gave birth to twin brothers. Twins were absolutely forbidden as a curse and were to be killed along with their mothers.

His heart twisted in his chest; he needed a solution.

Incapable of ending the lives of his own family, Ajaka ordered a noble to save his family and concealed his sons and their mother secretly onto an island secluded the kingdom. Inseparable , and only sated by each others company, the brothers grew into manhood, strong and proud.

Few who talked to them regaled how they could finish each others thoughts and sentences. Some even considered them two of the same soul.

She called them onto her deathbed, revealing the truth: the brothers were the rightful heirs to the throne. Their mother, however, was aged beyond her years; her purpose to inoculate the heirs of the empire was fulfilled. Her death was nigh.The brothers lamented of the injustice of their exile.Theres no reason we shouldnt be able to rule together!

Within days, they planned to return to their homeland after over a decade, reclaiming their birthright as the heirs to the throne.

News arrived, however. The king had died without an heir to disposing the brothers to quarrel over who would arrive in the capital to reclaim the throne.

Well throw stones, said the eldest brother. It will be settled who will go with the furthest stone cast.

The winner would then call his brother to share in their lavish lifestyle. The other brother agreed. The eldest picked up a heavy rock haphazardly and flung it, though it did not travel as far as he imagined.

Carefully, on the other hand, the youngest selected the smoothest rock from a nearby river, whose rough stream had polished smooth and white.

With all his might, he threw into the air and landed it beyond their sight.

The younger twin had won.

Dressing in his best clothes, readying the boat with his brother, and having been wished the best luck, the youngest left for the capital, reclaimed the throne as Olofi, and quickly fletched for his older brother.

Though indulged with the finest silks, foods, wives and expenditures, the eldest twin, however, was deeply dissatisfied.

He was convinced his own brother had cheated in front of his own eyes. He seethed enviously as his brother attracted the entire kingdom.

On a full moon, when the tides were the highest, the brother made a bitter scheme. Walking aside his brother, who had been preoccupied recalling that days events, the eldest brother pushed him into the river, drowning him.

Feinting worry, the brother told the palace that his brother had been acting abnormally and that he felt unfit to rule the kingdom and left the country in shame.

He even fabricated a lengthy letter to the citizens, ensuring that he would be the best fit for the kingdom.

Days went by, and during a fishing trip. The brother encountered no fish, yet had heard a low humming in the water.Searching, a fish sprang out of the water. Your brother lies here, Your brother lies here.Tormented by the echoing chant, the brother killed the fish with a sharp stone.Astonished and weary, the courtiers stopped and listened. Soon, the kings body was found.Attended by several noblemen on the shores, however, the river itself swayed as though it were a storm.

Your brother lies here, Your brother lies here.

Exposed to his deception and ostracized to the horror of his people, the king threw himself into the river: the same place he had to his brother.

Monkoto by Kevin MacLeod http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100432.

Night Cave by Kevin MacLeod http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100446.

Oppressive Gloom by Kevin MacLeod http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100885.

Pictures provided by clipart

Oppressive GloomKevin MacLeodRoyalty Free2011Video Game199404.3eng - iTunPGAP0eng - iTunNORM 000000AB 000000D3 0000087F 00000705 0000EE92 0001EAB6 00006988 00006E56 0000EE78 0000EE92eng - iTunSMPB 00000000 00000210 00000A1B 0000000000862055 00000000 00799273 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000