The Two Brothers, written by Leo Tolstoy, is a story about two brothers, Dmitri and Ivan, who are both in love with the same woman, Natasha. Despite their close relationship, the two brothers are very different from each other. Dmitri is a carefree, impulsive young man who is more concerned with pleasure and adventure than with responsibility and hard work. Ivan, on the other hand, is a serious, hardworking man who is more interested in making a name for himself in the business world.
The story begins with Dmitri and Ivan attending a ball at Natasha's house, where they both fall in love with her. Ivan is the first to express his feelings to Natasha, and she initially seems to return his affections. However, Dmitri is also in love with Natasha and is determined to win her over. He begins to pursue her aggressively, using his charm and good looks to win her over.
Despite his efforts, Natasha ultimately decides to marry Ivan, much to Dmitri's disappointment. Ivan is thrilled to have won Natasha's hand, and the two are married in a grand ceremony. However, their marriage is not as happy as Ivan had hoped it would be. Natasha is unhappy with her new life as a wife and mother, and she begins to resent Ivan for taking her away from the freedom and excitement of her previous life.
Dmitri, on the other hand, is living the carefree life he always wanted, traveling and enjoying himself without any responsibilities. However, he is also unhappy and begins to realize that he has made a mistake in letting Natasha go. He begins to regret his selfish actions and wishes that he had been a better man for her.
As the years pass, Ivan and Natasha's marriage continues to deteriorate, and Dmitri begins to realize the error of his ways. He decides to dedicate himself to helping others and becomes a kind and compassionate man, much to the surprise of his brother. Ivan, meanwhile, becomes more and more bitter and resentful, eventually driving Natasha away.
In the end, the two brothers' lives take very different paths, with Dmitri finding happiness and fulfillment through his selfless actions, while Ivan remains unhappy and alone. The Two Brothers is a cautionary tale about the dangers of selfishness and the importance of living a life of purpose and meaning.