The Fault in Pride
My story starts right at the beginning, set in a medieval period, with a noblewoman. This noblewoman was particularly beautiful but also a very self centered person. She won the heart of a very wealthy nobleman and soon became with child. In my story she is about to be blessed with twins.
The first twin arrived after much effort on the mother's part. She took one look at her firstborn and screamed in terror, as she had given birth to a beast. The midwife was also shocked at this young one. He was the ugliest child she had ever laid her eyes upon. The twin did not make a sound at his arrival. The midwife thinking that he was dead, lay aside the poor infant to attend to his horrified mother.
The second twin arrived with little effort. His face was vastly different to that of his brother. He was beautiful, so beautiful in fact that he made his brother look even more beastly. His mother adored him looking upon his face with a great amount of admiration. She named him Terrowin, after a man who once courted her.
The first twin in question did not die on that day. The midwife had to persuade his mother to take him as well. Both parents could not look upon the ghastly face of their firstborn. They decided to keep his birth a secret when the midwife made it imperative that they keep him. He was given no name as the parents only called him boy or ignored him altogether. The infant was put in the care of a wet nurse, but after a year he was sent to a monastery to live where no one would be shamed by him.
The monastery at that time was very corrupted by pride. In their pride they found that they couldn't take in the child. The Abbot opted to sent the child to a hermit. And under the vow of obedience, the hermit took the child in.
Brother Francis-Marie was almost blind. Yet he somehow managed to do everything that was required of him. Most importantly was the way he raised this child. Teaching him all that he needed to know of the world. The brother was very pure and was also blessed with vast amounts of knowledge. Being from a family of philosophers and nobles he had the special insight needed to teach this boy not only of regular doings of the world, but all things interior. He also named the young child Benedict, hoping that the child would look to this saint for comfort.
Benedict's character became wise. Through this life of austerity he sprouted in characteristics that we only see in the greatest of heroes. He also was planted in faith. He had a pure heart, and true inner beauty. He thought little of himself or his ugly face, rather he took joy in his sheltered life. Hidden away with Brother Francis-Marie and Jesus.
The second twin was thoroughly adored throughout his life. Terrowin would achieve many things but mostly he would be marked in character by his vainglorious pride. Being beautiful and lifted in society led to his destruction. He ruined many people along with himself, and left noble society after squandering his money.
Benedict learned of his brother who now had misfortune thrust upon him. And he sought out Terrowin to assist him in his hour of need. But alas, the prideful twin refused the help of someone so exteriorly hideous. Even in dire circumstances he would not bend his pride. Thus he continued on his miserable road of corruption and pain. Benedict, seeing all this believed the world to be a place truly in need of conversion. With his knowledge he began to preach. Most especially he preached humility, which he believed to be the greatest of all virtues.
Creative comments would be appreciated. This was an assingment and a very quick one.In Christ
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