Four married friends decided to take a break and go fishing together on a bright Saturday morning. As they threw fishing lines into the tranquil lake, their conversation naturally moved to how they had gotten a “hall pass” to leave home for the day.
There was a humorous story for each man.
The Deal of the First Man
The first man sighed and added, “You wouldn’t believe what I had to do to get here today.”
The other people looked over with interest.
He shook his head and added, “I promised my wife I would paint the whole house this weekend.” “All the walls, all the corners. But I told her I needed one day of calm to clear my head before I started.
The other people chuckled with pity. They all understood how it felt to get a day off at home.
The Promise of the Second Man
The second fisherman wasn’t going to let the first one win.
He answered with pride, “That’s nothing.” I told my wife I’d construct her the new pool deck she’s been wanting for years. I drew up the plans and everything!
He smiled and leaned back. “This trip was my reward for finally saying yes.”
The gang laughed again. It seemed like every fishing expedition had its own cost.
The Project of the Third Man
Not wanting to miss out, the third man also joined in.
He said, “You guys have it easy.” “I said I would redo the whole kitchen.” New cabinets, countertops, and everything else.
He let out a big sigh. “I’ll be living in sawdust for a month after this, but it’s worth it to spend a day with you all.”
The others chuckled, partly because he was being honest and partly because it all felt so real.
The Silent Fourth Man
After a few minutes of stillness, they looked to the fourth man, who had been silently reeling in his line.
One of them said, “You’ve been hushed.” “To get away today, what did you have to promise?”
The fourth man smiled, obviously finding it amusing.
“Well,” he continued, “I didn’t make any promises.” I woke up at 5:30 this morning, turned off my alarm, and asked my wife, “Would you rather I stay home or go fishing?”
He stopped for a moment to build suspense, then smiled and said, “She said, ‘Take a sweater.'”
There was a moment of stillness, and then all four men started to chuckle.
The fourth man’s story didn’t have paint, wood, or power tools in it. It was just about timing and a sense of comedy.
The Lesson of the Story
That day, as they packed up their things, the friends agreed that the simplest way is sometimes the best way. Even in marriage, a little humor, charm, and a well-timed inquiry can make a significant difference.