The Man and His Two Sweethearts
Story Summary
In this entertaining moral story, a middle-aged man courts two women—a younger one seeking youthfulness and an older one embarrassed by their age difference. Their attempts to modify his appearance lead to a comical outcome, as both women pull out all of his hair, leaving him completely bald. The tale serves as a simple moral story illustrating that trying to please everyone can ultimately result in losing everything.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
Trying to please everyone can lead to losing what makes you unique.
Historical Context
This tale reflects themes from various fables and folklore traditions, notably echoing Aesop's fable "The Man, the Boy, and the Donkey," which illustrates the futility of trying to please everyone. It also resonates with moral stories found in medieval literature that highlight human folly and the consequences of indecision, often emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance and the dangers of seeking external validation. The narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of trying to satisfy competing desires, a sentiment that has been reiterated in countless cultures throughout history.
Our Editors Opinion
In modern life, the story highlights the futility of trying to win the approval of everyone, which often leads to losing one's authentic self. For instance, a professional who constantly alters their work style to satisfy conflicting demands from colleagues and superiors may ultimately find themselves burned out and unfulfilled, having compromised their individuality in the process.
You May Also Like
The Noser and the Note
In "The Noser and the Note," an insolvent bank's Head Rifler attempts to deceive an inspector by presenting a personal note as a liability, leading to a satirical exploration of financial mismanagement and the absurdity of legal loopholes. As the inspector ultimately issues a certificate of solvency, the story serves as an impactful moral tale that critiques reliance on deception, reminding readers of the importance of integrity in the face of adversity. This short and sweet moral story highlights the thin line between survival and ethical behavior, making it a thought-provoking addition to inspirational stories with moral lessons.
The Wolf and the Sheep
In this unique moral story, a wounded Wolf deceitfully asks a passing Sheep to fetch him water, promising meat in return. The Sheep, recognizing the Wolf's true intentions, wisely refuses, illustrating the importance of discernment in the face of temptation. This culturally significant tale serves as an inspirational story with a moral, reminding us that hypocritical speeches are easily seen through.
The Weasel and the Mice
In this simple short story with moral lessons, an old weasel, unable to catch mice due to his age, disguises himself in flour to deceive unsuspecting prey. As several mice fall victim to his trap, an experienced mouse recognizes the ruse and warns others, wishing that the weasel's deceit is matched by his own success. This meaningful story illustrates the consequences of trickery and the wisdom of those who have survived many dangers.
Related Collections
Other names for this story
The Gray Dilemma, Courting Chaos, Love's Hairy Predicament, Two Hearts, One Head, The Balancing Act, Love's Duality, The Hairless Lover
Did You Know?
This story illustrates the futility of trying to meet the expectations of contrasting desires, highlighting the theme that efforts to please everyone can ultimately lead to self-defeat and loss of identity.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.
Explore More Stories
Story Details
- Age Group
- adultkidschildrenstory for class 4story for class 5story for class 6story for class 7story for class 8
- Theme
- DeceptionThe folly of trying to please everyoneThe consequences of vanity
- Characters
- Middle-aged manyoung womanelder woman
- Setting
- the elder woman's homethe younger woman's homea public space