One afternoon, a woman went to the local prison to visit her husband, who had been serving time there for several months.

As usual, they sat across from each other in the visiting room, catching up on family news and talking about life outside.

But something seemed different this time.

Her husband looked absolutely exhausted.

He had dark circles under his eyes, his face was pale, and he could barely keep himself from yawning.

“Honey, are you alright?” she asked worriedly. “You look terrible!”

He gave her a weak smile.

“Oh, don’t worry about me, sweetheart. I’ve just been working really hard lately.”

His wife shook her head sympathetically.

“Well, they shouldn’t be making you work so much! You need your rest!”

He simply nodded and changed the subject.

A little while later, visiting hours came to an end.

The woman hugged her husband goodbye, promised to visit again soon, and headed toward the exit.

But just before leaving, she spotted a correctional officer standing near the door.

She marched straight over to him.

“Excuse me, Officer! I’d like to have a word with you!”

The officer turned politely.

“Of course, ma’am. Is something wrong?”

“Yes, actually!” she replied. “I think it’s absolutely terrible how hard you’re making my husband work in here!”

The officer looked genuinely puzzled.

“Work? What do you mean?”

“My husband!” she exclaimed. “He’s completely exhausted! He can barely keep his eyes open!”

The officer chuckled and shook his head.

“Ma’am, I think there’s been some misunderstanding. Your husband doesn’t do any hard labor around here.”

The woman frowned.

“What do you mean? He looks like he’s been working day and night!”

“Believe me,” the officer replied, “your husband has one of the easiest routines in the entire prison. Most days, he just eats, sleeps, watches television, and relaxes in his cell.”

The woman stared at him in disbelief.

“That can’t be right!”

The officer smiled reassuringly.

“I can promise you, ma’am. He’s not assigned to any work detail. No cleaning, no lifting, no physical labor whatsoever.”

Now the woman looked thoroughly confused.

She scratched her head and said,

“Well, that’s very strange… because he specifically told me he’s been working every single night!”

The officer’s smile slowly disappeared.

He straightened up and asked cautiously,

“Every night? Ma’am, what exactly did your husband tell you?”

The wife replied:

“He just told me he’s been digging a tunnel for months!”