Twins

Author's Note: I have recently read the book, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne.  This book is about two little boys during the Holocaust that live on the opposite sides of the fence.  When they come together, both of their lives change. This piece is about how there is a price to their change.  In this piece I tried to connect with the story, use questions, and use repetitive initial patterns.

They share some things.  DNA, physical components, and family, although the only thing that most people notice is that they look the same.  If that is all that matters, can't we just pick where we belong?  Bruno, a curious boy, longs to see the other side of the fence; little did he know the other side was not quite as great as the side he was already on.  He wanted the life of someone else; he wanted Shmuel's life.

Bruno was tired -- tired of the same view every morning, tired of the family that never listened, tired of people having to do everything for him.  Most of all, he was tired of being alone.  He was in need of a friend.  Someone who could help him see the opposite of his life, someone who listed, some one who made him realize what it was to work and do things on his own was all he would ever ask of this friend.  That's what he got from this friend, but it came with a price.

Your life was created for a reason, because God wanted it to be that way.  To wish for something someone else has takes a risk.  Why Bruno would want the life of a boy in striped pajamas, sitting inside a fence is we ponder.  Maybe it was because he was young and he was clueless.  Getting to wear pajamas all day and talk with your family and other families, why it was only a dream of Bruno's.  From the outside looking in, he thought this was what he wanted.  There is always more to the story.

We always look to see the best in any situation; we are optimists no pessimists.   Even after every horrid story we have heard, we don't cease to think about if we are doing the right thing, because none of us can see the wrong that could come out of it.  We are too focused on our goals.  When we are so close, why would we let up?  Bruno thought that looking like Shmuel was to his advantage.  He thought that it was his chance to explore.

Now you should realize that it's best to be yourself and be grateful for the life that you've been given, because if you don't you would be making the same mistake that Bruno did.  If he knew how much better his life was, compared to Shmuel's, he wouldn't have made the mistake.  Maybe it's too late for him to correct his mistakes, but that's the job of the next era -- to learn from those mistakes.  So in the end, would you ever want to be anyone but yourself?