The Woman Who Went Out

A woman weeps, unfulfilled by her tight-fisted and dispassionate husband.  Her maid, recalling the customs of her homeland, suggests that her mistress find comfort in town. The woman complains that her husband will notice her absence from his bed.  

The maid helps the woman construct a doll made from soil dug from the base of an apple tree and imbued with dark magic. The woman places the talisman in her bed, sneaks away, and sells herself in the city.

After some time, the doll loses its shape, and the maid suggests returning it to the earth.  The woman despairs at the thought of receiving her husband’s embrace.  

Conferring with one of his competitors, the husband complains that his wife has become frigid after many weeks of passion. The competitor suggests that the man return his wife to her father, but the husband balks at refunding the dowry.  

Recalling an old superstition, the rival advises the husband to deceive his wife by placing an enchanted tree branch in bed.  The man returns to his estate and orders his gardener to cut the thickest branch from his apple tree.