Matthew and Melody are fraternal twins, which were born to proud parents Joshua and Charity Wishman on Sept 17th. The gleaming parents were only expecting one child but eight minutes after Matthew was born. The doctor announced that she was having another baby, which was a beautiful baby girl. Both parents were doubly surprised at the second child’s birth, because they only planned for one child. The proud grandparents seen the babies and offered to go buy what the couple needed for the surprise delivery.
They share everything as they grew up, but sometimes they argued a lot and fought over things they didn’t want to share. As they grew into young children, both of the twins began trying to create their own identity. For years the parents heard the twins squabbling about not wanting to share a birthday anymore. So, their parents let Matthew have the actual birthday and Charity got to pick her own date. She chose Oct. 28th and finally the twins stopped squabbling about sharing birthdays and became best of friends.
Charity was about five years old when she began collecting rocks and animals of all kinds, even the slimy yet icky ones. Her mom cringes every time she brings a new animal that she has found. When she was twelve years old, Charity had caught non-venomous snakes and different types of lizards. Matthew thought his sister was weird also, because she is always catching some kind of wild animal every day…even bugs!
Matthew didn’t say anything, but he knew she was the coolest little sister that anyone could have. He was surprised that she started began researching the animals around her area at seven years old, in order to learn more about the wildlife that she enjoys catching. Matthew was shocked when she began explaining that some wildlife was called venomous and some are called non-venomous animals.
Charity had no fear of wildlife, which privately Matthew and his parents worried about her getting bitten by a venomous animal. She told Matthew that when she gets older that she will work with wildlife. Matthew gave Charity a camera for her 14th birthday, so she can take pictures of the wildlife instead of catching them. However, she still caught animals and photographed them and then brought them home anyway.
Today, she came in will a huge bullfrog and she began begging her mom, “Can I keep it?”
Her mother said, “No, the bullfrog has a family that misses him, just as I would miss you if you just disappeared. So, take him back to where you found him, so he can find his family and you come back right away for supper.”
Charity nods and returns the bullfrog to his home at the pond, where she found him at. At first the frog, just sat there and seemed shocked to Charity. She picked him up and hugged him to say good bye to her bullfrog. Immediately, he jumped out her arms and she left a few tears out, as she watched him disappear. She heard someone walking up behind her and she wiped her tears away and turned to see Matthew.
“I’m sorry Sis. I know that…” Matthew said.
Charity cut him off, “You are not sorry, because you hate the things I catch.”
“What? I don’t like what you catch, but I do think it is awesome that you are brave enough to catch whatever animals you find. I bought you the camera, so you can take pictures to remember all the animal friends you have met. Plus, you’re my best friend and I don’t like when you are sad for any reason.” Matthew explained.
“Really…I didn’t know you felt that way. By the way, your only eight minutes older than me.” Charity replied.
They hugged and began heading home, but all of a sudden Charity bolts to the bushes next to the pond. She pops out of the bushes with a turtle and she gave her brother an extensive education about the turtle she was holding. He giggled to himself, because she looked so excited while talking about the turtle. However, her mood changed when she put the turtle back in the bushes.
“You really should find a way to work with wildlife, because you obvious know a lot about all types of nature’s animals. You light up when you are talking about wildlife and how they live, what they eat, and other neat facts about the animals.” Matthew said.
“Maybe, I could volunteer at the local zoo?” Charity answered.
They headed home and washed up for supper, yet Charity was so excited for some reason but her mom had no idea what she was excited about. They settled down to supper and finally their mom had to enquire about the secret between Matthew and Charity.
She asked both of them, “What is the secret you two have…Spill it?”
“I want to volunteer somewhere where I can work with wildlife.” Charity declared.
Well, if you stop bring your friends home, I will help you find a good place for you to be a volunteer.”
“Deal….Thanks mom!” Charity agreed.
Later, Matthew search on the internet for different places, which can volunteer at and he wrote their information down. Charity was surprised when he handed her the list of wildlife sanctuary to call tomorrow.
“Thanks…I am surprised you did this for me.”Charity said.
“I will do anything for my courageous, yet weird little sister!” Matthew replied.
©2008, Crystal S. Kauffman
