Who Is The Wealthy Merchant In The Tale Of The Ox And The Donkey

In the Tale of the Ox and the Donkey, “there was a prosperous and wealthy merchant who lived in the countryside and labored on a farm” (563). This merchant although was wealthy lived in a lifestyle that was below his means even though he could have simply hired someone and have them take care of the job that he does regularly making the character of the merchant seem humble, hardworking, and kind. But its later seen when taking the advice of the rooster who said “He should take an oak branch, push her into a room, lock the door, and fall on her with the stick, beating her mercilessly until he breaks her arms and legs and she cries out, ‘I no longer want you to tell me or explain anything’, “ (pg 565). That although he may be kind there are