Through the window they could hear her bustling about
in the kitchen. The smell from the stove took a turn in their
stomachs, then rocketed to their fatigue and dizzy minds;
intensifying an already wild and flimsy play.
Any minute now, she would lean out of the window and with
a pretended harsh voice, order them to wash their hands.

Love and Life flew onto their chairs, grabbing their spoons
in the flight. Besides a low buzzing from the radio, there was
only silence and eagerness in the air. She knew she could
have told them to open their mouths wide, grabbed a spoon
and shoveled it all in; straight from the pan.

-mom, who came first, me or Life? She turned around with
a puzzled look. Their capacity to chew and talk at the same
time was an everyday experience; still, it never stopped
to stun her.
-one of you came first, and then came the other; she said
with a smile.
-so who was it mom; was it me or Love?
-how should I know; suddenly, you were just there;
you are twins, remember?
-mom, don't play with us! Yeah, Life and I are twins,
but not at the same time!

She came close to them, put her hands on their heads
and tousled around.
-now, listen kids, and they could sense a sudden
seriousness in her voice.
-when you were born, there was a darkness; it was all
over the room, if there was a room; I'm not sure;
I can't remember. I was in great pain, then, suddenly,
it stopped, and I felt a great relief.

Then, there was nothing, until I heard a baby crying,
then another one. I managed to sit up and started to fumble
around in the dark; got hold of you two and cut the strings.
Then I leaned back, gave you my breasts, and, fell asleep.

-when I woke up, light and leaves were playing through an
open window; birds were singing and there was a smell
of coffee; voices somewhere, and you two-she tousled
them again-you two where asleep! She smiled, and leaning
forward placed her head between Life's and Love's.

-So, you know what I did?
-no, what did you do mom?
-I took my time to take a good look; at both of you.
-So what did we look like mom?
-you looked different from now; just two small babies.
Though, it struck me so; you know what struck me?
-no! Don't play with us mom; tell what struck you mom!
-It struck me so, that you looked exactly the same; identical!
The kids stirred, as if they saw each other for the first time.
-what's that you said, that id-word? A restlessness got hold
of them and they started to move around on the chairs.

-you two, you looked as if you were one and the same,
the very same child. She hugged them.
-and you are! Mom's two rascals, yes, you two, you spring
from the same egg!
-no! The kids started to beat on her arms.
-chickens come from eggs! We are not chickens, mom,
we were babies; we came from your stomach!

The Mother drew them close again, and said, with an
almost whispering voice:
you're so right there! But you know what; deep inside of me,
there was also an egg, a tiny, very tiny little egg; so small
and so deep within that no one could see it, and, in that egg,
there you were, both of you.

-at first, nothing happened, although the egg was alive
and well, and, for a long time, it just lay there.
Then I met dad, and we kissed, and you know what,
you know what happened?
- tell at once, don't tease! What happened mom, tell us, please!
-the kiss ignited the egg.
-what's that, how can a kiss do things?
-the egg started to grow; the kiss made it grow, and it grew
faster and bigger and bigger, and then, suddenly, you came,
and here you are!

Love and Life jumped down from their chairs and stood,
restlessely, moving from one foot to the other, in front of
their Mother.
-ok, but we are still different; we are two kids, not one.
If I climb a tree and Love plays with a ball, how can we be
the same?
-how should I know, the Mother said with a teasing glint;
-though, one day we will know. All I know is, that although
you are one and the same that doesn't stop, each of you,
from doing your own things; and that's very convenient
for you, but quite a hassle for your mother; she said,
and smiled.

Life and Love sighed, looked at their Mother for a few
seconds, then said: mom, can we go out and play now?
-of course, you can! That's why you are here, off you go!
The sun, the leaves and the earth, it was all there for them
as they played on the yard. Through the window they
could hear their Mother bustling about in the kitchen;
and, behind it all, that low, constant buzzing from the radio.