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Contents
Background Information
What is a folk story?
Why folk stories are valuable in counseling
Bibliography
Courtship, Marriage, Gender Roles, Domestic Violence
Courtship
Marriage
Wives' Roles
Husbands' Roles
Domestic Violence
Conclusion
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3. The
Puppet
The Prime Minister's Coachman
A wise woman watched
her arrogant, self-satisfied husband drive the carriage of his
employer, the Prime Minister. As the coachman, he drove through the
town at great speeds, frightening the townspeople. He shouted and
scolded anyone who was in his way, and he was generally disliked.
The Prime Minister, on the other hand, who was the most powerful
man in the area, was a humble, considerate person whom all the
people loved. The coachman's wife was very upset with her husband's
behavior, and wanted to teach him to do better without any direct
conversation.(1)
One day, when
the coachman came home after work, his wife told him that she was
leaving him. He could not believe she would do that, and demanded
an explanation. In response she merely said he should look to the
Prime Minister to understand.
The next day the
coachman told the Prime Minister of this conversation, but the
Prime Minister could tell him nothing. All day the coachman thought
and wondered, and finally he looked carefully at his employer and
watched his every move. He saw that this man, who was not very tall
or imposing, wielded a lot of power without being rude or
domineering, and was greatly admired. The coachman on the other
hand who was a tall handsome man was disliked and disregarded by
most people. The coachman thereupon modified his behavior and told
the Prime Minister the reason for the change. The Prime Minister
complimented the wise wife and rewarded the coachman with a
promotion in his work. (2)
That evening, his
wife who had not really planned to leave was delighted with what
had happened.
- The Puppet is
a husband who thinks he is dominating his wife and the household.
- He is married
to the Wise Woman who manipulates him without his knowing it.
Back to Husbands' Roles
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