2208. The husband and lover © Bruce Goodman 10 August 2021

(This is the first of a week’s worth of re-telling traditional folktales. The folktales retold this week are possibly not overly well-known.) Theodora was having an affair. Her lover was still in the house when she heard her husband arrive home. She hid her lover behind the door. “Husband dear,” said Theodora, “I have the most wonderful news. The hawks have been frightening your chickens, but I have discovered how to put an end to it. I have a chant to recite, and while I chant you must put your head in a bucket.” With that, Theodora put a bucket over her husband’s head and recited a nonsensical chant. The lover escaped from behind the door. The hawks still hassled the chickens. Contact Author Back to Index Next Story Previous Story