Is It Healthy For A Mother To Ask These Kinda Question From Her Son?

When I was still in my late teens, a friend of mine told me about a certain question his mum asked him, the question goes thus:

"Who do you love and cherish most between I and your Father."

To which my friend replied saying he love and cherished his father more, his mother countenance changed and she felt downcasted thereafter.

Now my fellow Nairalanders, even though I wasn't able to give a precise answer to my friend then, I still think the mother shouldn't have asked that kinda question, thence, I might be wrong. But still, if that were to happen to any of you guys, what would be your reaction?