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Once there were twins named Formless and Form who shared everything. Both were brilliant artists whose gifts would create the world.
One day, it was time for them to make their art and do what they were born to do.
The twins’ father gave them a task:
“Create your art in the world. The one who makes the best art shall receive all that you desire.”
The twins clapped their hands in delight.
“There is one condition,” he continued. “You must not see each other until the day I call you before me again.”
“But we share everything, Father!” they protested. “We’ve never been apart.”
The twins cried and pleaded with their father, but he was resolute.
He banished them to separate continents and forbid them to see each other.
The twins had always been obedient, and so, with tears in their eyes, they began to create.
Formless conjured a storm of creation.
She dreamed of pottery, paintings, sculptures, carvings. She designed buildings, gardens and films. She composed music, poetry and novels in her head. She visualized plays and dances.
All the creations of Formless started in a fury of chaotic beauty before collapsing into dust.
Try as she might, Formless could not create her art in the world.
Meanwhile, Form set to work.
He focused and plotted over blueprints. He tinkered and puzzled with prototypes. He poked and tested his creations.
Each creation was meticulously planned and strategized, yet died as soon as it was born.
Try as he might, Form had no life in his art.
Years passed and the twins wept over their repeated failures.
“What else is possible?” they cried out on separate continents.
The earth shook with the power of the twins’ Ask. Plates shifted and continents collided, reuniting the twins once again.
Formless and Form embraced with happy tears.
Together, the twins began to create.
Formless drew inspiration from the vastness of infinite possibilities, then tossed them to Form, who channeled them into structure and shape.
Some of their creations were weak and frail, dying before anyone knew they existed.
Others were strong and solid, recognized for their practicality or beauty.
A few of their creations were pure genius, hailed as masterpieces and praised across the world.
All of them were alive and humming with the energy that creates worlds.
Finally, their father summoned them to his quarters.
Formless and Form arrived separately, shaking in anticipation of his judgement.
“My beloved children,” he began, “all of your creations are truly magnificent.
“Formless, you have launched untold thousands of artful delights in the world. Form, you have designed Grand Works such as the world has never seen.
“Tell me, how shall I choose the best between you?”
Formless and Form joined hands.
“My chaos inspires the diversity of creation,” Formless said, “but without my brother, none of it may come into the world.”
“My structure brings creation into reality,” Form said, “but without my sister, it is lifeless and without purpose.”
“The truth is,” they said in unison, “we created all our art together”
The twins stood tall, still holding hands. “That’s what we’re going to do, even if it means not receiving what we desire.”
Their father’s face softened and he began to laugh.
“You’re not angry?” Formless and Form said.
Their father shook his head, chuckling.
“It is your desire that ushers in the flow of all creation. All that is and all that ever was is yours, as it has been all along.”
And so it is.
