A middle-aged man had not one, but two mistresses. One of his mistresses was younger than he was, and the other was older.
The younger mistress didn't want her lover to look old, so at every opportunity she would pluck the grey hairs from his head, leaving the dark hairs. "You're so handsome!" she would say.
The older mistress felt insecure about her age, so at every opportunity she would pluck the dark hairs from his head, leaving the grey. "You look so distinguished!" she would say.
Before long, the poor man was completely bald, thanks to his two mistresses.
Inspired by: Mille Fabulae et Una, a collection of Latin fables that I've edited, free to read online. I am not translating the Latin here; instead, I am just telling a 100-word version of the fable.
Notes: This is fable 952 in the book, which is Perry 31.
(illustration by Tenniel)
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