“Not long ago there were two young sisters, Miki and Kiki. They were different in every way. Miki was small and round, Kiki tall and slender. Miki’s hair was straight, Kiki’s curly. Miki’s eyes were greenish brown, like a beautiful forest sight. Kiki’s eyes were charcoal black, like the most amazing, darkest night. All in all, not a single soul who met them would think they were related, let alone sisters.

Miki and Kiki also liked very different things. Miki was keen on pants and T-shirts; Kiki favoured blouses, skirts and frilly dresses. Miki loved spaghetti and pizza; Kiki could never have enough dumplings and sushi. Miki had several pets: a cat called Divina, a fish called Irena and a hamster called Serena. Kiki’s best friends were her books, canvases, colours and paint brushes.

“You two are sisters? Really?” people would ask. But their surprise would only grow once they spent time with the sisters. For, you see, Miki and Kiki never fought! “We can’t believe it!” “Impossible!” “I’ve never heard of such a thing!” people would say. And indeed, the sisters’ own parents had fought with their brothers and sisters when they were growing up. A few times the fights had even gotten physical: a bloodied nose here, a broken finger there – not a pretty sight! Sadly, most children around them, then and now, also fought and argued. Some could be so mean to their brothers and sisters that the slighted one would have to cry themselves to sleep. “Everybody fights,” was the general consensus.

Their friends, relatives and neighbours quizzed Miki and Kiki, and they quizzed their parents. “Tell us, what is your secret?!”