Perhaps the man is in a situation where he is physically or socially restricted from acting. For instance, they are in a very formal setting where any interference would be inappropriate. His friend might be sharing a personal anecdote that he has to just let play out without being able to actively engage.
Maybe he can't interrupt his friend. Some people have a rule of not interrupting when someone is telling a story. So he just has to listen, even if he wants to do something else or has his own thoughts to add.
If it's appropriate, he can offer some empathetic expressions like 'I'm sorry to hear that' or 'That must have been tough'. This shows that he is engaged in the story and cares about what his friend is saying.
Perhaps he could just listen attentively. Sometimes when a friend is telling a story, there's not much one can do but be there and listen. Even if he feels helpless, his presence and attention can be a form of support.
He could be in a situation where he wants to offer help or advice based on the story but is restricted by some external factors. For example, if they are in a public place where he can't speak freely, or if there are social norms that prevent him from interrupting. So he just has to look on helplessly.
There might be a sense of loyalty involved. He might have promised someone not to tell the story. In the context of 'Horse and His Boy', there could be a pact between him and another character. Breaking that promise would be against his principles. Also, he may not trust others enough to share such an important story. He might be worried that others will use the story against him or the people in the story.
She might be sharing it to promote understanding and acceptance of different sexual orientations. In today's society, there's a growing need to be inclusive, and by telling such a story, she could be contributing to that.
It could be about his insecurities despite having this physical characteristic. Maybe he has faced challenges in relationships or in society because of it.
One reason could be to show extreme generosity. If the man has adopted or taken in a large number of children, it could be a story about his selfless act of providing a home for kids in need. For example, he might be a wealthy philanthropist who wants to make a difference in the lives of orphaned children.
Maybe it was some kind of magic curse. That's a common trope in fantasy stories.
One possibility is that it's a symbolic transformation representing his inner nature or a journey of self-discovery. Another reason could be that it's a dream sequence or a hallucination, adding a twist to the story. Maybe he was chosen by fate for this transformation to fulfill a special mission.
Perhaps it's related to substance abuse. If he got addicted to drugs or alcohol, he might have spent all his money on these substances and lost his job and home. It could also be because of a natural disaster. For example, if his house was destroyed in a flood or an earthquake and he had no insurance or support system, he could become homeless. Or, it might be due to discrimination. If he was discriminated against in housing or employment because of his race, gender or other factors, it could lead to his homelessness.