A Ten Cow Wife ? ( Archived) (12)

A Tencow wWfe

Perhaps you've heard the story of Johnny Lingo, a man who lived in the South Pacific. The islanders all spoke highly of him. He was strong, good-looking, and very intelligent. But when it came time for him to find a wife, people shook their heads in disbelief. The woman Johnny chose was plain, skinny, and walked with her shoulders hunched and her head down. She was very hesitant and shy. She was also a bit older than the other married women in the village, which did nothing for her value. But this man loved her.

What surprised everyone most was Johnny's offer. In order to obtain a wife, you paid for her by giving her father cows. Four to six cows was considered a high price. The other villagers thought he might pay two or even three cows at the most. But he gave ten cows for her!! Everyone chuckled about it, since they believed his father-in-law put one over on him. Some thought it was a mistake.

Several months after the wedding, a visitor from the United States came to the Islands to trade, and heard the story of Johnny Lingo and his ten-cow wife. Upon meeting Johnny and his wife the visitor was totally taken aback, since this wasn't a shy, plain, and hesitant woman, but one who was beautiful, poised, and confident.The visitor asked about this transformation, and Johnny Lingo's response was very simple. "I wanted an ten-cow woman, and when I paid that for her and treated her in that fashion, she began to believe that she was an ten-cow woman. She discovered she was worth more than any other woman in the islands. And what matters most is what a woman thinks of herself."

So you really do need a girl you were not kidding

If a man sows in love, he will get love in return. If he sows neglect, he will get neglect in return. If a man sows hurtful or angry words, he will get hurtful or angry words in return. Why not sow love, peace, joy, tenderness??? Isn't that what your soul really needs? Think about what a beautiful harvest you will, one day, get to reap in return!!!

I love it!

I really enjoyed this. It is so true about how we feel about ourselves and our self-esteem. When someone treats us as crap we feel like it. If they treat us as we are loved and are precious to them...we feel it...we become it. Thank you so much for this story.

I've seen it before but it is so true according to what each of us may feel at any given moment. Just a word, a look, or a touch...can make us feel as if we are the best. That's what love and compassion can do for each of us. I hope we all take the time every day at least to make one person feel "special".

Here! Here! Beautifully said, and a touching story. I'd never heard it before and will certainly never forget it!

Thank you!

yup and will add a great guy and friend to that