Chaucer makes the statement that greed leads to deception by focusing his tales on realistic problems of the time arguing that those who deceive deserve to be punished In the Millers Tale Alison and her lover Nicholas preoccupy Old John by convincing him that a huge flood approaches in order to be alone for the night by Old John bearing the blame and punishment Chaucer illustrates that the marriage of someone younger foretells a disastrous marriage Old John whose wit was ride ignores Catouns so