An elderly couple lived a quiet, secluded life in the remote hills, far from the bustle of towns and the novelty of shops. Their world was simple, defined by the rhythms of nature and each other’s company. One afternoon, a traveling peddler arrived at their cabin, hoping to trade his wares. The old man greeted him, explaining his wife was down at the creek. He browsed the pots and tools without interest until his eyes fell on a strange, shiny object.
It was a mirror, but the old man had never seen one before. Picking it up, he gasped in delight. Staring back at him was the clear, unmistakable image of his own father! Overjoyed at this miraculous “portrait,” he promptly traded the peddler for it, offering his wife’s prized ceramic pitcher. The peddler, sensing a good deal, quickly departed. Knowing his wife would be furious about the pitcher, the old man hid his new treasure in the barn behind some old crates.
Over the following days, the man developed a curious habit of sneaking out to the barn several times a day. His wife, growing more and more suspicious of his odd behavior, decided to investigate. One night, after he had gone to sleep, she crept out to the barn. Moving the boxes, she discovered the strange object. She picked it up and peered into it. A wave of shock and fury washed over her. There, clear as day, was the face of another woman! She stormed back to the house, convinced she had uncovered the secret of her husband’s strange absences: he was fooling around with a hussy from who-knows-where!
The humor, of course, lies in the innocent misunderstanding. Both characters interpret this modern invention through the limited lens of their experience. The man sees a beloved ancestor, a connection to the past. The woman sees a rival, a threat to her present. Their isolated life, which kept them free from common knowledge, became the very thing that created a domestic comedy. It’s a gentle reminder that perspective is everything, and that sometimes, the things we fear most are just reflections of our own unfamiliarity with the world.
