The Man and His Two Wives – illustration

Classic Tales · An original story

The Man and His Two Wives

A kind farmer, blessed with two loving wives and a growing family, faces a terrible drought. When crops fail, his wives, Rose and Violet, inspire him with acts of sacrifice and generosity. Their actions teach the entire village the power of sharing and community, leading to a surprising outcome.

Illustration from the story The Man and His Two WivesOnce upon a time, in a quaint little village nestled between the hills, lived a kind and generous man. He was a humble farmer, with a heart full of love and a spirit of giving. One sunny day, as he tended to his fields, he met a beautiful young woman. Her name was Rose, and she was the kindest and most gentle soul he had ever encountered. They fell in love and were soon married, living happily ever after.

Not long after their marriage, Rose gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. The man was overjoyed and filled with love for his new family. He worked tirelessly to provide for them, ensuring they had everything they needed.

Years passed, and the man's fields grew prosperous. One day, as he was travelling to the market to sell his produce, he met another beautiful woman. Her name was Violet, and she was as kind and gentle as Rose. They struck up a conversation, and before long, they found themselves falling in love. With the blessing of his first wife, the man married Violet, and they too lived happily ever after.

Not long after their marriage, Violet gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. The man was once again filled with love and joy, and he worked even harder to provide for his growing family.

Illustration from the story The Man and His Two Wives

The Drought

In that year, not a drop of rain fell from the sky. Crops in the man's fields stood silent and thirsty, turning the once lush greenery into a blanket of brown. Worry creased the man's brow as he pondered over the fate of his family's next meal.

Rose's Sacrifice

One evening, as shadows grew long and dinner was a modest affair, Rose took her husband's hands into hers. "Let's sell my necklace," she suggested, her voice firm yet gentle. "Food for our little ones is more precious than any gem around my neck." At first, the man shook his head, unwilling to part with the symbol of their love. But Rose, with wisdom in her eyes, convinced him. "Love," she said, "isn't held in objects, but in the acts we do for one another."

Violet's Generosity

Not long after, Violet, with a sparkle of determination in her eyes, approached her husband. "Why don't we share what little we have with those around us?" she proposed. The man balked, fearing their supplies would run thin. Yet Violet, ever the beacon of compassion, reminded him, "We've been blessed with kindness from our neighbours. Now, it's our turn to give back." Her words, both soft and powerful, inspired a change of heart in the man.

The Harvest

Moved by Violet's generosity and Rose's sacrifice, the man agreed to open their home and share their scant food. Miraculously, as each day passed, their neighbours began returning the favour, sharing whatever little they had. This circle of giving kept everyone in the village fed through the drought's cruelest days. Soon, this shared struggle forged a bond of unity and strength among them all, a testament to the power of community in the face of hardship.

Illustration from the story The Man and His Two Wives

The Blessing of the Harvest

Next year, Mother Nature smiled upon the land, blessing it with gentle rains and warm sun. Fields that were once barren now burst with green. Our farmer's crops grew taller and healthier than ever before, a testament to his hard work and the goodwill he had sown among his neighbours.

The Gratitude of the Village

Moved by the farmer's acts of kindness during those hard times, folks from all around gathered to celebrate the bountiful harvest. They shared stories, laughter, and a feast made from the crops they had grown together. Everyone raised their glasses to the farmer, thanking him for reminding them of the strength found in unity and generosity.

The Man's Legacy

Years rolled by, and the farmer grew old, but his spirit remained as vibrant as ever. He often sat under the old oak tree, his grandchildren gathered around, hanging on to his every word. He shared tales of drought and bounty, of love and sacrifice, ensuring that the lessons of kindness and gratitude would live on long after he was gone.

In time, the farmer and his two wives watched their sunset years in peace, surrounded by a large, loving family. Their lives were simple, yet rich in joy and contentment. The village remembered them not for their possessions but for the wealth of love and kindness they shared. And in every heart, the story of the man and his two wives continued to inspire, leaving a lasting legacy of the true treasures in life.

The End

Next story: The Man and the Wooden God
The Magic Fishbone Surprise me Tonight's story

About this story

This gentle story, part of our Classic Tales collection, is ideal for a quiet evening when you want to settle your child with a comforting narrative. It explores themes of generosity and community spirit, leaving children feeling warm and thoughtful. Particularly suited for Ages 6–10, it offers a reassuring message about overcoming challenges through kindness, without any frightening characters or long, suspenseful build-ups.

Read this next

  • The Wolf and the Shepherd 8 min · Ages 4–8This story also explores how different individuals can come together, focusing on friendship and trust to bridge unexpected divides.
  • The Farmer and the Stork 5 min · Ages 3–7If your child enjoyed the theme of making a positive difference through kindness, this shorter tale offers a similar gentle message.

Talk about it

The lesson

Sharing what you have and helping others brings everyone closer and makes tough times easier for all.

Questions to ask

  1. What big problem did the farmer and his village face?
  2. How did Rose and Violet help their family during the drought?
  3. What did the villagers do to help each other?
  4. Why do you think sharing is important when times are hard?
  5. Can you remember a time you shared something with someone?

Words to know

quaint
charmingly old-fashioned and pretty.
nestled
settled comfortably and safely.
prosperous
doing very well and successful.
balked
hesitated or refused to do something.
scant
very little, not much.
bountiful
large and plentiful, a lot of something.

More stories like this

All Classic Tales stories