The Two Mothers

The two mothers met at the well outside the city walls.

in the shade of wide palm trees, that hot day. Both wore black.

Both were crying.

“Why are you crying?” asked the first

“They have crucified my innocent son” was the reply.

“What was his name?” the first asked

“Jesus!” the other replied fresh tears rolling down her cheeks

The other woman gasped and began to crying out loudly

beating her breasts repeatedly in anguish and knelt down

before the Other, took her hand and began kissing it profusely

and cried, “Forgive him! forgive him! I too am crying because

of my son’s death, “please! please! forgive him!"

“Your son?” asked the first Mother curiously, “What was his name?"

“Judas!” replied the distraught woman.