One of our community development facilitators (I’ll call him Zip) was recently doing some shopping in the bazaar when he heard some men conversing, and the topic of taking a second wife came up. Zip tuned in and heard one of the men say that he was tired of his first wife, and if he could find the money he would take a second.
“I heard you want to take a second wife if you can find the money,” said Zip, “and I have good news for you. I will give you the money you need for your second marriage.”
The man straightened up and asked Zip what he would have to do for this favor.
Zip replied, “I will give you the money you need for your second marriage, but first you have to do some things, exactly as I tell you. Are you paying attention? Okay here is the first thing you have to do: you must to select and buy and use birth control for the next 2 years.”
“HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT! You can’t challenge my right to have children!” screamed the man in return.
“How many children do you have?” asked Zip.
The man thought for a moment, “Well I don’t know, they’re children, they’re hard to keep track of.”
“Exactly!” said Zip, “and have you ever noticed that your wife gets more tired with each pregnancy and birth and new child? Now pay attention and listen to what else you have to do if you want the money I have promised you:
You must buy your wife a piece of fruit to eat every night. DON’T let your children eat it, save that piece of fruit especially for her.
You want a beautiful wife right? You must give her something beautiful so that she can be! Buy her a new dress, perfume, jewelry.
Lastly, you must give her a break. Every day, you need to be at home and take care of the children for 2 hours so that she can take a break.
You do these things, and then in 2 years come and tell me you still want a second wife.”
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