Patrick Watson ~ Man Like Me

There were once twin brothers who, as young men, received from their parents a mountain meadow on which to live. The meadow was divided evenly between them. One side was rockier than the other but had a creek running through it. This was the half that was given to the first born twin. The other side, given to the latter born twin, was more suitable for planting and rainfall sustained it. The younger man frequently enjoyed harvests more plentiful than his need and he shared his excess with his brother in return for water from the creek. Eventually, however, a drought fell upon them. While the creek slowed to a trickle, still it flowed – but the younger twin’s land dried and cracked. Soon he had nothing. He appealed to his brother for water but since he had nothing to trade, his brother refused him and he died from thirst. The older twin was able to survive the drought on his own meager harvest and inherited his brother’s half of the meadow. When the rain finally came again, he prospered.