Week 3 Story: Halle and Annie
Public Domain Edition: Ramayana
Author sources: M. Dutt, R. Dutt, Gould, Griffith, Hodgson, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Oman, Richardson, and Ryder
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30 years ago:
A woman gives birth to twins-- identical twins named Halle and Annie. The father of the girls and the mother went through a divorce before the birth of the girls. They decided the mother would take Halle and the father would take Annie. However, to save the heartache from knowing what could've been, they would not tell the girls. This would also allow the adults to live happy independent lives. They kissed the other twin goodbye, and went on their own way.
Today:
Halle's mother tragically passed away. After searching through her belonging, she found baby pictures with cursive handwriting, Halle and Annie.
She thought to herself: "Who is Annie... and why do we look so much alike?" Until this point, she always thought that her father passed away in a car accident before she was born, and all she remembers was her mother-- no other siblings. However, there was always a part in her heart that made her feel like she was missing a part of herself. After making background searches online, she found out that she was being lied to the whole time.
She flew across the country and found her other half, Annie. Halle met her father for the first time who raised Annie, and told her that her mother was in a car accident before she was born. The girls were furious at their father, and Halle begged her sister to come back to her hometown. They could finally live their lives together like all twins should. However, Annie explained, "I love you, but I have my own life now. I vowed to my husband and kids that I would stay with them forever. I cannot break this promise unlike our parent did." Then, Annie gave Halle her necklace. "I have worn this my entire life, and this will give you strength to return back to your home. One day, when we have retired or my husband dies, will be reunited again."
Author's Note: This story was inspired by Episode 24 in Ramayana, The Sandals. In the original story, after Rama retreats to the forest, his brother, Bharata finds him, and gives him the news that their father died. Bharata asks Rama to come back home with him to grief. Also, with the passing of his father, the throne now belongs to Bharata. Bharata does not feel worth of the throne. However, Rama does not agree to return because he has vowed to spend time in penance in the jungle. Rama gives Bharata his sandals to sit at the throne until his vow is over. My story focuses on sister's who were split at birth. They reunite, and similarly to Bharata and Rama, are not able to continue life together immediately because of previously promises made. One of the twins gives the other her necklace for her to carry with her, as a symbol, until they can see each other again.
Author sources: M. Dutt, R. Dutt, Gould, Griffith, Hodgson, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Oman, Richardson, and Ryder
Click!
Twins, Twenty20
30 years ago:
A woman gives birth to twins-- identical twins named Halle and Annie. The father of the girls and the mother went through a divorce before the birth of the girls. They decided the mother would take Halle and the father would take Annie. However, to save the heartache from knowing what could've been, they would not tell the girls. This would also allow the adults to live happy independent lives. They kissed the other twin goodbye, and went on their own way.
Today:
Halle's mother tragically passed away. After searching through her belonging, she found baby pictures with cursive handwriting, Halle and Annie.
She thought to herself: "Who is Annie... and why do we look so much alike?" Until this point, she always thought that her father passed away in a car accident before she was born, and all she remembers was her mother-- no other siblings. However, there was always a part in her heart that made her feel like she was missing a part of herself. After making background searches online, she found out that she was being lied to the whole time.
She flew across the country and found her other half, Annie. Halle met her father for the first time who raised Annie, and told her that her mother was in a car accident before she was born. The girls were furious at their father, and Halle begged her sister to come back to her hometown. They could finally live their lives together like all twins should. However, Annie explained, "I love you, but I have my own life now. I vowed to my husband and kids that I would stay with them forever. I cannot break this promise unlike our parent did." Then, Annie gave Halle her necklace. "I have worn this my entire life, and this will give you strength to return back to your home. One day, when we have retired or my husband dies, will be reunited again."
Author's Note: This story was inspired by Episode 24 in Ramayana, The Sandals. In the original story, after Rama retreats to the forest, his brother, Bharata finds him, and gives him the news that their father died. Bharata asks Rama to come back home with him to grief. Also, with the passing of his father, the throne now belongs to Bharata. Bharata does not feel worth of the throne. However, Rama does not agree to return because he has vowed to spend time in penance in the jungle. Rama gives Bharata his sandals to sit at the throne until his vow is over. My story focuses on sister's who were split at birth. They reunite, and similarly to Bharata and Rama, are not able to continue life together immediately because of previously promises made. One of the twins gives the other her necklace for her to carry with her, as a symbol, until they can see each other again.
Hey Shary! I liked this modern take on the story. Nowadays, a story like this isn't far from reality. There have been stories I've heard on podcasts of similar events, especially with all these online family tree services available now. People have been able to find so much out about their families through the internet. I'm really looking forward to more stories like this with modern twists this semester, and maybe you can carry that theme on in other stories!
ReplyDeleteHi Shary!
ReplyDeleteI loved how you made this story more contemporary. It's something I try to do a lot in this class. I would really love for the dad to have had a larger narrative. Maybe an explanation why they chose to move so far apart. I'm not sure why but this story reminds me a lot of lion. It's about an Indian boy who gets lost on a train and ends up getting adopted by an Australian family. It's really sweet!