This morning I was trying to describe this parable I had read many years ago to Richard. I ran a Google search and finally (on page 12 of the search results) I found it! Isn’t the internet wonderful?
Once upon a time, twins were conceived. Weeks passed in the womb and the twins’ awareness grew.
“Isn’t it great that we were conceived! Isn’t it great to be alive!”
Together the twins explored their world. When they found their mother’s cord, which gave them life, they sang
“How great is our mother’s love that she shares her life with us!”
As the weeks stretched into months, they noticed how each one was changing.
“What does it mean?” asked A.
“It means that our stay in this world is drawing to an end,” said B.
“But I don’t want to go,” exclaimed A.
“But maybe there is life after birth,” said B
“How can that be?”, replied A.
“We will shed our life cord, and how is life possible without it? Besides, we have seen evidence that others were here before us, and none of them have returned to tell us that there is life after birth. No, this is the end.”
So A fell into deep despair saying,
“If conception ends in birth, what is the purpose of life in the womb? It’s meaningless! Maybe there is no Mother after all!”
“But there has to be,” protested B, “How else did we get here? How do we remain alive?”
“Have you ever seen the Mother?” said A, “maybe she lives only in our minds. Maybe we made her up because the idea made us feel good.”
The last few days in the womb were filled with deep questioning and fear. Finally the moment of birth arrived. When the twins passed from their world, they opened their eyes and cried. For what they saw exceeded their fondest dreams.
