The Balance of Brothers

Canto XIV: The Wisdom Experiment

Dylan's encounter with Duke had left him unsettled. For days, he replayed Nick's words in his head, trying to reconcile his brother's pragmatic wisdom with his own lofty ideals. Finally, unable to shake the feeling that he might be missing something, Dylan devised a plan."I'm going to observe Nick," he muttered to himself, pacing his room. "If he's as wise as he claims, it'll show in his actions. And if not, I'll have proof that his so-called wisdom is nothing but mediocrity disguised as insight."---The next morning, Dylan positioned himself on the couch, notebook in hand, ready to document Nick's every move. He didn't have to wait long. Nick strolled into the kitchen, Duke following at his heels, and began preparing breakfast.Dylan scribbled furiously as Nick cracked eggs into a frying pan. "8:15 a.m. – Nick exhibits basic culinary competence. Nothing remarkable."Nick glanced over his shoulder. "What are you doing?""Nothing," Dylan said, hiding the notebook behind a cushion.Nick shrugged and continued cooking. He buttered toast, poured coffee, and even cut a slice of banana for Duke, who wagged his tail appreciatively. Dylan observed all of this with growing skepticism."Feeding a dog doesn't make you wise," he muttered under his breath.---Later, as Nick loaded the dishwasher, Dylan decided to follow him more closely. He trailed behind as Nick went about his day—watering the plants, responding to emails, and fixing a squeaky door hinge. Each task was simple, mundane, and, in Dylan's eyes, utterly unremarkable."9:45 a.m. – Nick adjusts a hinge. Possible metaphor for flexibility in life, but likely just practical maintenance," Dylan noted.Nick, noticing Dylan's not-so-subtle shadowing, smirked. "What's with the surveillance?""Just taking notes," Dylan replied. "For research.""Research on what?" Nick asked, raising an eyebrow."On whether your so-called wisdom is worth paying attention to," Dylan said bluntly.Nick laughed. "Good luck with that."---As the day went on, Dylan's frustration grew. Nick's actions were infuriatingly consistent—calm, deliberate, and devoid of the grandiosity Dylan associated with true brilliance. When Nick helped an elderly neighbor carry groceries, Dylan scribbled, "3:15 p.m. – Nick performs altruistic act. Predictable and overly simplistic."But something about the neighbor's genuine gratitude made Dylan pause. It wasn't flashy or groundbreaking, but it clearly mattered to her. Was that... wisdom?"No," Dylan muttered, shaking his head. "It's just good manners."---By evening, Dylan was ready to call it quits. He sat on the porch, notebook in hand, watching as Nick returned from walking Duke. The dog bounded ahead, his energy infectious, while Nick strolled leisurely, a faint smile on his face."What's the verdict?" Nick asked, sitting down beside Dylan.Dylan hesitated, flipping through his notes. "You're... consistent. But that doesn't make you wise."Nick chuckled. "Consistency is part of wisdom, Dylan. It's about doing the little things right, day in and day out.""That's boring," Dylan said, frowning. "Wisdom should be... profound. Revolutionary."Nick leaned back, looking at the sky. "Profound wisdom is rare, sure. But practical wisdom? That's what gets you through life. It's not always about changing the world. Sometimes it's just about making it a little better for the people around you."Dylan stared at him, torn between annoyance and begrudging respect. "You make it sound so simple.""Because it is," Nick said. "You just like to overcomplicate it."---That night, Dylan sat at his desk, reviewing his notes. They were filled with sarcastic observations and dismissive comments, but as he read them, he began to notice patterns. Nick's actions weren't flashy or ambitious, but they were undeniably thoughtful. And the people around him—neighbors, friends, even Duke—seemed better for it.Dylan sighed, setting the notebook aside. "Maybe simplicity isn't such a bad thing," he admitted to the empty room. "But it's still not for me."For now, he would continue his search for something grander. But deep down, he couldn't shake the feeling that Nick's quiet wisdom might hold more value than he was willing to admit.