Mother, I Need Your Help

An exhausted housewife dragged herself to the telephone when it rang and listened with relief to the kindly voice on the other end. “How are you, sweetheart? What kind of day are you having?” “Oh, Mother,” said the woman, “I’m having such a bad day.

The baby won’t eat, the washing machine broke down, the house is a mess, we’re having two couples over for dinner tonight and I haven’t had a chance to go shopping yet, and to top it off, I just sprained my ankle.” The mother was overwhelmed with sympathy. “Oh, honey,” she said, “sit down, relax, and just close your eyes.

I’ll be over in half an hour. I’ll do the shopping, clean the house, and cook your dinner for you. I’ll feed the baby and I’ll call a repairman to fix the washing machine. Now stop crying.

I’ll do everything. In fact. I’ll even call John at the office and ask him to come home and help out.” “John?” said the housewife.

“Who’s John?” “Why, John! Your husband! . .. Isn’t this 555-1265?”

“No, it’s 555-1264.” “Oh” said the kindly person, “I must have the wrong number.” There was a long silence. Then the helpless woman asked, “Does this mean you’re not coming over?”