When I visited my pregnant sister, I was stunned to find her husband treating her like a servant. What I did next—with a watermelon and a daring bet—changed everything.
The Shocking Discovery
Arriving at my sister Lily’s home, nine months pregnant and ready to give birth, I was dismayed to see how her husband, Mark, was treating her. I was staying with them while traveling for work and was immediately struck by the contrast in their roles. Lily, struggling with exhaustion and a growing belly, was running around the house, while Mark lounged on the couch, engrossed in his video games.
Witnessing the Reality
That evening, Lily prepared dinner—a simple pasta dish she made with evident effort. Mark tasted it, complained it was cold, and took his plate upstairs to eat while continuing his game. Lily, on the other hand, cleared the table, started the dishwasher, and took care of laundry, all while preparing for the baby’s arrival. Despite my offers to help, Mark remained glued to his gaming console.
Addressing the Issue
The next morning, over breakfast, I decided to talk to Mark. “Mark, I noticed Lily’s handling a lot of the housework. Maybe you could pitch in, especially with the baby coming?”
Mark barely glanced up from his phone. “It’s a woman’s job,” he replied dismissively.
Taking a deep breath, I said, “How about a challenge? If you can do everything Lily does in a day, I’ll be your personal maid forever. But if you can’t, you have to step up and be the husband Lily deserves.”
Mark, clearly amused, accepted the bet. “Deal.”
The Plan Unfolds
I went to the store and bought the largest watermelon I could find. I told Lily about my plan, and together we created “pregnancy simulators” by hollowing out the watermelons and wrapping them in plastic. When Mark returned from work, I handed him the watermelon along with a list of Lily’s daily chores.
Mark laughed, confident he could handle it. Lily and I settled in with popcorn to watch the show.
The Challenge Begins
Initially, Mark strutted around with the watermelon, but soon reality hit hard. Bending to pick up a sock nearly caused him to topple. Vacuuming and doing laundry became a struggle as the watermelon’s weight affected his balance. He was soon sweating, with the watermelon leaving a sticky residue.
Lily and I watched, laughing as Mark’s initial bravado faded. By lunchtime, he was slow and exhausted, with painting the nursery proving particularly challenging.
The Revelation
As the day ended, Mark, utterly defeated, collapsed on the couch. “I give up,” he admitted, removing the watermelon. “I had no idea how much you do, Lily. I’m really sorry.”
Tears of relief filled Lily’s eyes as she embraced Mark. “I’m glad you understand,” she said softly.
The Transformation
That night, Mark transformed. He helped with dinner, did the dishes, folded laundry, and assembled the crib. When Lily went into labor a few days later, Mark was a supportive and loving partner, deeply involved in every moment.
As I prepared to leave, Lily thanked me, saying I had saved their marriage and given their daughter a devoted father. I left with a sense of accomplishment, hoping Mark would maintain this new attitude. If not, I’d be ready for another lesson—perhaps with a different fruit.
