Story - The Wise Woman: A Wise Wife's Advice

Upon returning home one evening, a wealthy man was told by his wife that she was very frightened and needed his help.(1) She had been startled by a beggar, and in trying to chase him away with an iron poker, she accidentally killed him. To hide her deed, she wrapped the body in a blanket. Terrified, she now did not know what to do.(2)

Her husband reassured her and went to seek help from his rich friends. He was dismayed when his fun-loving friends, with whom he had spent so much of time and money, refused. His wife then suggested that he ask his poor younger brother, whom he had been neglecting.(3) His brother immediately agreed to help bury the body.

The local magistrate, informed by the rich friends, arrived while they were digging the grave, and announced he was going to arrest them all.

Thereupon, the wife unrolled the blanket and revealed the body of a dead dog.(3)She had created this ruse to test the loyalty of the rich friends and the dedication of the poor brother.(4)The magistrate scolded the insincere friends and praised the wise wife.(5) The husband remained reunited with his younger brother, as it should be in a family.(6)

1. The Wise Woman understands the need to appear subservient.

2. She escapes harm by pretending that her husband dominates the household.

3. She exercises control in a subtle and often underhanded manner.

4. The Wise Woman succeeds through indirect methods and deceit.

5. She survives well in the folk stories, and in the end is praised for her wisdom.

6. The husband thinks he controls the household while his wife skillfully manipulates him according to her wishes.