True story from the 1940’s…..

A young Creek couple married one fall, but in about 4-5 weeks the wife abruptly packed her things and walked back to her mother’s home without explanation.

The young man went to an elder uncle’s house and asked if the uncle could make “medicine” that would bring the wife back. The uncle told him to come back in a day or two and he would have the answer.

When the young man returned, he was told it would take three days and he must do as told. On the first day, he was sent to town to buy a large slab of cured bacon and a large sack of flour. It was very important that the items be wrapped in shiny Christmas paper and tied with a big bow of ribbon. He was to walk home with a package under each arm and to whistle a happy tune as he walked past his mother-in-law’s home.

On the second day, he was sent to town to buy a can of sorghum and a large sack of dry beans. Again, he had these wrapped in fancy paper with bows and returned home…. whistling as he passed the home where his wife was staying.

On the third day, the young man was sent to town to buy a bolt of bright cloth and a big can of lamp oil. On his return, as he approached his mother-in-law’s gate, his young wife came out and took his hand, walked beside him and sang the words to the song he was whistling as they walked to their now well stocked home.

Lesson learned: Provide well for your wife and you both will be happy.