The Man and his two Wives Aesop's fable Classics Illustrated Junior Storyteller Fairytales English

Breaking the rules of telling Aesop's fables! George Pitropogiannakis as Classics Illustrated Junior grandfather-storyteller presents "The Man and his two Wives".
In the Spring season afternoon I'm in the area of Nea Alikarnassos, in Heraklion, Crete. On the horizon, the island of the god Zeus, Dia, can be seen on the left. I am on the northern rocky shore, next to "Melina Merkouri Nea Alikarnassos Indoor Sports Hall" (Κλειστό Γυμναστήριο Νέας Αλικαρνασσού Μελίνα Μερκούρη). (This is the point on Google Maps 35°20'42.7"N 25°09'36.5"E)
Aesop’s fable “The Man and His Two Wives” offers a witty yet profound commentary on human nature, relationships, and the futility of trying to satisfy conflicting expectations. With simple narrative tools, Aesop weaves a tale that reveals how the desire to please everyone can lead to personal loss and dissatisfaction for all.
In the story, a man has two wives: one younger, one older. Each wife holds opposing desires regarding her husband’s appearance. The younger wife, concerned that his graying hair makes him look too old, plucks out his gray hairs every night. The older wife, on the other hand, fears he looks too young, so she removes the dark hairs each morning. Caught between their efforts, the man soon becomes bald. Both wives are then dismayed at the result, and the man is left with nothing. The moral is clear: in trying to please everyone, you may end up pleasing no one—including yourself.
This fable uses a domestic and humorous setting to address a universal truth: the impossibility of satisfying everyone, especially when their desires are incompatible. The two wives symbolize opposing societal pressures or opinions—each pulling in a different direction. The man represents those who, out of fear of conflict or desire to be loved, try to accommodate all demands. His resulting baldness is not only literal but metaphorical. It reflects the identity lost in the process of compromising too much.
Aesop also comments subtly on vanity and social perception. The wives care less about the man himself and more about how others perceive their union. They pluck his hairs not to make him happier but to protect their own image. Their motives, though different, stem from the same root: insecurity and concern with appearances. This mirrors how people often project their insecurities onto others, manipulating them to fit personal narratives.
The humor of the fable should not obscure its deeper lesson. The final remark—“Try to please everyone, and you end by pleasing no one at all”—is a timeless piece of wisdom. It applies not only in marriages or relationships but also in leadership, politics, and everyday decision-making. Attempting to be all things to all people often results in a loss of direction, purpose, or self.
Ultimately, Aesop encourages self-awareness and balance. While compromise is essential in life, it must not come at the cost of personal integrity. Decisions made solely to meet others’ conflicting expectations may lead to unintended and regrettable outcomes. The fable reminds us to listen, to respect others’ wishes, but also to stand firm when necessary.
In just a few lines and with a clever setup, Aesop delivers a truth that still resonates today. His tale warns against excessive people-pleasing and advocates for authenticity, reminding us that self-respect and thoughtful choices are better guides than constant approval-seeking.
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