165. The Carpenter under the Bed

Laura Gibbs · 165. The Carpenter under the Bed

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The carpenter suspected his wife was unfaithful, so he hid under the bed and waited.
The wife thought he was gone and invited her lover to come.
Then his wife heard him under the bed, so she screamed, "Hands off, villain!"
Her lover was confused.
"A goddess predicted my husband would die unless I brought a stranger into my bed," she said. "You're in; now get out!"
"Such devotion!" yelled the carpenter joyfully. "Thank you both!"
He then stood up under the bed, lifting the bed on his back, and carried the lovers on the bed all around the village.

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Inspired by: The Panchatantra, translated by Arthur Ryder.
Notes: It is in Book 3, Story 13.