On a warm afternoon in the Deep South, two Southern belles sat rocking gently on the wide front porch of a grand white-pillared mansion. With glasses of sweet tea in hand and the sound of cicadas buzzing in the background, their conversation drifted toward family, marriage, and the gifts that life—and husbands—can bring.
The Boastful Belle
The first lady, dressed in crisp linen and pearls, spoke with quiet pride.
“When my first child was born,” she began, “my husband built me this beautiful mansion. Every column, every polished floorboard was his gift to me for giving him an heir.”
The second lady smiled politely and answered in her soft drawl, “Well, isn’t that nice?”
The first continued. “And when my second child was born, he bought me that fine Cadillac out front, all shiny chrome and leather seats.”
Again, the second lady responded sweetly, “Well, isn’t that nice?”
“And when my third child was born,” the first said with a grin, “he gave me this dazzling diamond bracelet.” She lifted her wrist, letting the sunlight catch the glittering stones.
The second lady, as always, replied, “Well, isn’t that nice?”
The Question of Children
Curious now, the first woman leaned in and asked, “And tell me, what about your children? What’s happened with your son?”
The second sighed deeply. “Oh, my poor son! His marriage is so unfortunate. He ended up with a girl who doesn’t lift a finger around the house. She spends all day in bed, either sleeping or lounging and reading. Can you believe he even brings her breakfast in bed?”
The first lady gasped in horror. “Why, that’s terrible!”
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