The Family Tree

Sofia is ten, and she lives in Ottawa, in Canada. Her teacher, Ms. Lee, has a project for the class: "Draw your family tree and bring some family photos."

That evening, Sofia asks her mom a lot of questions. "What's Grandpa's name?" "Robert." "When is his birthday?" "On the eighth of July."

Sofia draws the tree on a big piece of paper. Her grandparents are at the top. Her mom, her uncle Paul and her aunt Lisa are under them. Sofia, her brother Leo and her cousins are at the bottom.

Then her mom gives her a box of old photos. One photo is black and white. Two young men are in it, and they look exactly the same! "Which one is Grandpa?" Sofia asks. "And who is the other man?"

Her mom is quiet for a moment. Then she says, "That's Grandpa's twin brother, Richard." "Grandpa has a twin brother? Where does he live?"

"He lives in Vancouver. He and Grandpa don't talk. It's a long story," her mom says. Then Sofia has an idea.

On Sunday, Sofia calls Grandpa. "Grandpa, how old is your brother? Why don't you call him?" Grandpa doesn't answer for a long time. Then he says, "You ask a lot of questions, Sofia."

Two weeks later, Sofia shows her family tree to the class. Next to Grandpa's name is a new name: Richard. And in her hand, she has a new photo: two old men, exactly the same, and they are both smiling.