Two Brothers

Kindness makes the world go around.
Morris and Boris are brothers who look like twins—even down to the small humps on their backs. Morris is kind and helpful to everyone he meets. Boris is impatient and unkind. When Boris refuses to take his turn to go check on their hut in the woods, Morris volunteers to go rather than have an argument. The forest is enchanted: eyes peek out of every bush and rustling can be heard in the leaves. Morris takes care not to disturb or destroy animals and plants. Respecting nature with every step, he makes friends with tendrils, toadstools, and the forest itself. In the dark of the night, the tree spirits and forest witch give him something that he will never forget—they make his hump go away. When Boris sees his transformed brother he runs up the mountain. But instead of having reverence for the creatures around him, Boris tramples carelessly through the forest. Before long, the beings of the magic wood come forth. How will the mushrooms and the tender plant elves react? And what will the forest witch give him? Boris wonders why he has not been treated the same as his kind brother, but when Boris’ own dog recoils in fear from his hand, he realizes he must change his ways.

Eveline Hasler and Käthi Bhend’s classic tale—based on a legend from the Ticino region of Switzerland—is lovingly reprinted and ready for a new generation to enjoy.

“Bhend creates complex, wonderfully animistic landscapes, filled with both accurately rendered natural details, and hidden faces and forms woven into the underbrush.”—Kirkus Reviews