The Quarrelsome Old Couple
A man and a woman had been married for many, many years. Everyone in their neighborhood knew them well, because their marriage was filled with endless quarrels that often turned into dramatic shouting matches. Late into the night, people could hear their voices echoing through the quiet streets, and sometimes even strangers passing by would stop, shake their heads, and whisper: “There they go again…”
The old man, in particular, had a fiery temper. Whenever an argument grew especially heated, he would raise his voice and declare in a booming tone:
“When I die, I won’t rest quietly in my grave! I’ll dig my way out with my own hands and come back to haunt you for the rest of your life!”
The neighbors shivered at such words. Some even believed he was serious, for he seemed to enjoy seeing fear in their eyes. He carried himself like a man who wanted everyone to think he had power even beyond death.
Finally, at the astonishing age of 98 years old, the old man passed away. His death, though expected, left the neighborhood strangely uneasy. People whispered among themselves, nervously recalling his threats.
At the funeral, after the last shovelful of dirt had been placed on his grave, a group of neighbors quietly approached the widow. Their voices were trembling as they asked:
“Aren’t you afraid he might actually keep his promise? What if he digs his way out of the ground and comes back to haunt you, just as he always said?”
The old woman didn’t flinch. With a calm expression and a sharp wit that had carried her through years of marriage, she answered with confidence:
“Let him try. I had him buried upside down… and I know for certain he’ll never ask for directions.”
The neighbors stared at her for a moment in stunned silence—then burst out laughing. After all those years of his threats, her cleverness had turned the fear into a joke, and for the first time, people felt safe again.
The Camping Story
Years later, another tale circulated about an elderly married couple who decided to go camping. They were much calmer than the first pair, but still carried the same kind of playful banter that only comes with decades of living together.
On a clear night, after pitching their tent beneath a sky glittering with countless stars, the couple lay down to rest. The cool air, the smell of pine trees, and the faint crackle of their campfire made the evening perfect. Soon, they both drifted into sleep.
Sometime around midnight, the wife suddenly woke up. She shook her husband gently and whispered, “Wake up, dear.”
Still half-asleep, the husband groaned, “What is it? Why are you waking me up at this hour?”
She pointed upward. “Look at the stars. Tell me—what do you see?”
Blinking, the old man gazed at the endless night sky. “I see millions and millions of stars,” he said.
“And what do you make of that?” the wife asked curiously, waiting to hear what deep thought he might come up with.
The husband rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Well,” he began slowly, “if there are millions of stars, then surely many of them must have planets. And if even a few of those planets are like Earth, then it’s likely that somewhere out there, life exists. Perhaps civilizations, perhaps other beings looking back at us at this very moment.”
He felt rather proud of his philosophical answer. But after a short silence, the wife sighed and shook her head.
“No, honey. It simply means somebody stole our tent.”
The husband froze, looked around, and suddenly realized the truth: above them was not the roof of their tent but the entire universe staring down. Their home for the night had vanished!
Closing Note
And so, with these two stories, we are reminded that marriage is not only about love and companionship, but also about wit, humor, and the ability to laugh even in the strangest situations.
I hope these little tales put a smile on your face and brightened your day. Sometimes the best way to handle life’s challenges—whether a quarrelsome old husband or a stolen tent—is simply to laugh.
Have a wonderful day filled with joy and good humor!