There once was a time, very long, long ago,
     When a man with TWO wives was thought bolder,
So one middle-aged fellow whose hair was half grey
     Married two wives, one young and one older.

The younger thought Hubby should always look young,
      So she'd pull out grey hairs from his head,
But the older wife wanted a mate her own age,
      So she'd snatch out the black hairs instead.

Of course he was flattered they loved him so much
     And rejoiced he was multiply wed
Till one morning he looked in the mirror to find
     There was not one hair left on his head.

MORAL: Wanting too much can leave one empty-handed.

from PRAYERS AND FABLES by William Cleary