10. MOTHER / MOM
In Book One of Herodotus, the legend is told of the twin brothers Kleobis and Biton. According to the legend, the brothers were taking their mother, Cydippe, the Priestess of Hera, from Argos to Heraion to attend the feast of the goddess Hera. When the oxen that were to pull their cart failed to materialize, the brothers pulled the cart themselves — a distance of over five miles. So impressed was the Priestess by her sons’ devotion, on arriving at the temple she prayed to Hera to bestow upon her children the greatest of all possible gifts that a god could give to a mortal. Hera attended her prayer. That night, following the feast, the brothers died peacefully in their sleep.
• •
“Brock, Brock — is it really, really you?”
“Yes, mother. Mom. Yes, it’s really me.”
“O
