A wife discovered her husband’s message on the refrigerator one morning. The email addressed a topic that many people could find startling or unpleasant, and it was presented in a tone that was almost businesslike.
In his letter, the husband wrote:
“My beloved spouse,
As a 57-year-old, you will undoubtedly realize that I have wants that you can no longer meet. I consider you to be a decent wife and am very happy with you. Thus, after reading this letter, I sincerely hope you won’t mistakenly believe that I’ll be spending the night at the Comfort Inn Hotel with my 19-year-old secretary.
Just don’t worry, I’ll be home before midnight.
The husband appeared to be trying to give the most rational and detached explanation of himself. He was very explicit about his intentions: he would be spending time with his much younger secretary because his wife, who was 57 years old, was no longer able to satisfy his “certain needs” (probably referring to physical closeness). He also promised to get home by midnight.
Although the husband’s expectations were uncertain, it is unlikely that he foresaw the wife’s astute and amusing reply. Unbeknownst to him, his wife would not only make a fantastic reply, but also respond in a way that would cause him to reconsider his course of action.
When the husband returned home late that evening, he probably thought the stress of his letter would have subsided or hoped for a peaceful evening to think. On the dining table, he discovered another message waiting for him instead.
The wife’s response would be remembered as one of the most well-considered comebacks in the annals of hilarious marriage stories.
The wife wrote in her note:
“I appreciate your candor on my age of 57, and I have received your mail. Let me take this opportunity to inform you that you are 57 years old as well.
As you are aware, I teach math at our nearby institution. Please be aware that I will be in the Hotel Fiesta with one of my pupils, Michael, who is also the assistant tennis coach, when you read this. He is youthful, macho, and 19 years old, just like your secretary.
As a prosperous businessman with a strong mathematical background, you will realize that we are in a similar circumstance, with the minor exception that 19 goes into 57 more often than 57 goes into 19. I shall thus not return home until tomorrow at some point.
Although this could appear to be a straightforward response to a potentially offensive letter, closer examination reveals that the wife had deftly flipped the situation. She made her point using her mathematical expertise and a sharp sense of humor rather than getting agitated or furious.
The wife’s remark was astute for several important reasons:
Insinuating that age was not a factor in their marriage, she noted that they were both 57 years old. This successfully dispelled her husband’s belief that her demands and his age were different.
She mimicked her husband’s relationship with his secretary by bringing up Michael, a youthful, macho 19-year-old assistant tennis coach. The intentional usage of the same age and setting demonstrated that both spouses were in a similar situation.
The woman really shined in this situation. She created an argument that was both amusing and reasonable by drawing on her experience as a math instructor. The younger man (Michael) had the mathematical advantage of being able to “satisfy” her more frequently than she could him, as she effectively pointed out when she said, “19 goes into 57 more times than 57 goes into 19.” Her argument was supported by this mathematical parallel, which also gave it a lighthearted and thought-provoking twist.
The wife did not cry, become irate, or attempt to confront the matter head-on. Rather, she used her cutting yet lighter sense of humor to disarm her spouse. Her spouse had a lot to ponder after she transformed a possibly disastrous circumstance into a lighthearted yet incisive remark.
In addition to the wife’s witty repartee, the story’s deeper message about relationships and communication is what really makes it so great. In many respects, marriage is a partnership in which both spouses must be able to communicate with one another and resolve disagreements amicably. Comedy can be a very powerful tool for overcoming difficult circumstances, helping couples work through difficulties without needlessly raising emotions.
By using humor to gently persuade her husband to change his behavior, the wife in this instance not only avoided a potentially hostile situation but also restored control of a situation that could have easily descended into chaos. Her response to her husband’s letter was a great combination of wit and savvy use of math.
This humorous tale ultimately serves as a reminder of the value of humor in interpersonal relationships. The husband might have anticipated an emotional or reactive reaction, but the wife’s intelligent, playful, and logical response left him with more questions than answers. It is an excellent illustration of how a well-timed, astute retort may transform a potentially uncomfortable or upsetting circumstance into one that fortifies the bond via mutual understanding and fun.
Therefore, keep in mind that, like this clever woman, sometimes the best approach to deal with a difficult situation is to have a little wit, humor, and a keen sense of intellect.