SUMMARY Syracuse and Ephesus were two neighbouring states. But there was an enmity between them. No merchant of Syracuse was allowed in Ephesus. In case an intruder was discovered, he had to court death or pay a heavy ransom for his life. Once Aegeon, an old merchant of Syracuse was found violating the law of the land. He was brought before the Duke Of Ephesus. Aegeon had no money with him. He was given death sentence. But the Duke was curious to know why Aegeon having the full knowledge of the law of the land had entered there. This prompted Aegeon to tell the sad story of his life. Aegeon was a successful merchant of Syracuse. He had a happy conjugal life. Once he went to Epidamnum on a piece of business. He had to stay a long period of time there. His wife soon reached there. In Epidamnum Aegeon became the proud father of twin boys. The children looked exactly alike. On the very day of the birth of the twins there were born two sons of a poor man of Epidamnum. These poor children to