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By most standards, I come from a large family -
eight brothers and sisters in addition to myself - or at least that is what I
was led to believe. Being in the middle of the family, both in order as
well as in size, I easily fit in, and do not generate much controversy.
I do have unique characteristics which could
set me apart from the rest, but this story is not about me as much as it is about
the smallest member of my family.
While the smallest member of my
family was not always considered to be so, in the end, he was the
smallest. He was otherwise fairly non-descript, not standing out in other
ways to gain attention, and in fact was the most distant relative. Few
heard from him very often. Although occasionally a little eccentric, it
was his small size that eventually placed the spotlight onto him, and that is
where the problems began. You see, my family is very well known, even
internationally, and often receives media attention. Whatever the
motivation, whether in search of the limelight, or possibly in spite, the
"authorities" began to question the smallest member of my family.
As the investigation intensified,
and more and more information was obtained by the "authorities", the
authenticity of smallest member of my family was placed under more and more
scrutiny. Finally, it was determined that this beloved member of my family
was never actually part of the family at all! This shocking revelation
caused an uproar not only among my brothers and sisters, but also throughout the
entire world. After all, my diminutive brother had committed no crime, and
had really not changed or done anything differently than he ever had done.
He was just being himself. I was glad that I had not been placed under
such scrutiny.
In spite of protest, the verdict of
this esteemed "authority" was final. I now have seven brothers and
sisters instead of eight. My faith was shattered. This belief, a
common knowledge which I had held all of my life and had taken for granted, was
broken. What could be more basic than the members of one's own family?
And the ramifications of this verdict did not stop there. As I mentioned
before, my family is very well known, and many texts, even textbooks, have been
written about us. All of these would now need to be amended with this new
knowledge. Pets and story characters have even been named after my
brother. Where will all of this end? Maybe more scrutiny will come.
Maybe the largest member of my family will be singled out. Maybe previously
unknown members of my family will be found and added to it. Where can one
put one's faith?
Click here to find out more about this
family member . . . |
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