The Man and His Two Wives
Story Summary
In this very short moral story, a middle-aged man with two wives—one young and one old—struggles to satisfy their conflicting desires regarding his appearance. The young wife removes his grey hairs to make him look younger, while the elder wife plucks out the black ones to avoid resembling his mother. Ultimately, his efforts to please both lead to his complete baldness, illustrating the lesson that trying to satisfy everyone can result in losing everything—a heartwarming tale with a clear moral.
In the old days, when men were permitted to have multiple wives, there lived a middle-aged man who had two wives: one who was old and another who was young. Each wife loved him dearly and wished to see him reflect her own image.
As time passed, the man's hair began to turn grey. The young wife found this change displeasing, as she believed it made him appear too old for her husband. Determined to restore his youthful look, she would comb his hair every night, meticulously plucking out the white strands.
Conversely, the elder wife took great pleasure in her husband's greying hair. She did not want to be mistaken for his mother and appreciated the signs of maturity. Every morning, she would style his hair and remove as many black strands as she could.
As a result of this tug-of-war between his wives, the man soon found himself entirely bald. This predicament serves as a reminder that trying to please everyone may ultimately lead to losing everything.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
Trying to please everyone can lead to losing everything.
Historical Context
This story reflects themes of marital dynamics and the complexities of polygamy, which have been prevalent in various cultures, particularly in ancient and traditional societies. It draws on folk narratives that explore the consequences of trying to please multiple partners, reminiscent of Aesop's Fables, where moral lessons are conveyed through anthropomorphized characters and their dilemmas. This tale serves as a caution against the pitfalls of indecision and the desire to satisfy everyone, leading to personal loss.
Our Editors Opinion
This story illustrates the challenges of trying to please everyone, a dilemma that resonates in modern life as we often juggle various expectations from family, friends, and colleagues. For instance, a working parent might try to satisfy both their employer with late hours and their children with constant attention, ultimately leading to burnout and neglecting their own well-being—demonstrating that yielding to all demands can result in losing oneself.
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Other names for this story
The Balancing Act, Two Wives' Dilemma, The Hairy Situation, Love's Compromise, The Man's Folly, Wives and Wishes, A Husband's Predicament, The Gray Dilemma
Did You Know?
This story highlights the theme of the consequences of trying to please everyone, illustrating how the man's attempts to satisfy both wives ultimately led to a loss of his own identity and autonomy. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of compromising oneself in the pursuit of harmony.
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