Page 206 - THE DECAMERON: 100 Days on 100 Etchings by Petru Rusu
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“Solomon“
Two gentlemen, Melissus and Joseph, who don’t know each across the bridge. A light bulb goes off in Joseph’s head.
other meet up on the road on their way to consult with the He’s simply not been beating his wife hard enough! When
wise king Solomon. Joseph tells Melissus that he’s going they get to the other side of the bridge, the men ask a local
to Solomon for advice on how to deal with his stubborn guy the name of the place. Solomon’s advice suddenly
wife. Melissus has a different problem: although he spends makes very good sense to Joseph. When they arrive in
all his money on banquets and entertaining his friends, no Joseph’s hometown of Antioch, he invites Melissus to stop at
one loves him. The two men arrive at the court of Solomon his house overnight. His wife behaves true to form, refusing
together. Melissus gets his audience first and explains the to serve what Joseph would like for dinner. Joseph thinks
situation. Solomon replies with one word: “Love.” Then this is a great time to put Solomon’s advice into effect. He
Joseph steps up and asks Solomon what to do about his wife. makes Melissus promise not to interfere, and then he grabs
Solomon says “Go to Goosebridge.” Both men are quickly a big oak stick. Joseph beats his wife within an inch of
ushered out. They have absolutely no idea what Solomon her life. He stops only because he’s too tired to continue.
meant by his “advice.” On the way home, the men come to a Amazingly, she lives through the night. And this time, when
bridge with a traffic jam of domestic animals across it. One Joseph orders a special meal for breakfast, he gets it. Now
mule driver is having a heck of a time getting a stubborn Melissus has to return home and see if he can make good
mule across the bridge, so he begins to beat the creature. on the advice given by Solomon. When he tells a local wise
Melissus and Joseph are horrified by the beating and tell the man about the advice, the man says, “Duh!” you can’t be
guy to stop beating the mule. Won’t it walk if he just talks loved if you give parties just to show off. You’ve got to do it
nicely to it? The mule driver tells them to mind their own out of love, man. So in the end, Emilia says, the disobedient
beeswax and proceeds to beat the animal even harder. And wife gets what she deserved (!) and Melissus finally learns
that does the trick. The mule finally gives up and moves how to attract the love he’s always wanted.
“Solomon” retrieved from publicly source: shmoop
<https://www.shmoop.com/study-guides/literature/decameron/summary/ninth-day-ninth-story>
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