When Honesty Meets Cleverness—and a Little Math
What happens when honesty, wit, and a touch of mathematics collide? In this story, a husband thinks he’s pulling a fast one—only to discover that underestimating his wife may have been his biggest mistake. One note, one clever mind, and a night full of surprises later, the results are as hilarious as they are unexpected.
The Husband’s Note
One morning, a husband left a note for his wife on the fridge:
“My dear wife,
You must understand that I have certain needs that, at 57, you may no longer be able to fulfill. I cherish you as a good wife and am very happy with you. That said, I hope you will not misinterpret this: tonight, I will be spending time with my 19-year-old secretary at the Comfort Inn Hotel.
Please don’t be upset—I’ll be back before midnight.”
The Wife’s Response
Later that night, when he returned home, he found a reply waiting on the dining table:
“My dear husband,
Thank you for your honesty regarding my being 57 years old. I feel it’s only fair to remind you that you are 57 as well.
As you know, I teach mathematics at our local college. While you were reading your note, I was at the Hotel Fiesta with Michael, one of my students and assistant tennis coach, who is also 19 years old—just like your secretary.
As a businessman with a solid understanding of mathematics, you will appreciate that 19 goes into 57 more times than 57 goes into 19. So, I will not be home until sometime tomorrow.”
The Lesson
In this humorous tale, cleverness, wit, and a little math turn the tables completely. The wife’s ingenious response proves that underestimating someone’s intelligence—and sense of humor—can backfire spectacularly. Sometimes, the pen (or the note) really is mightier than the scheme.