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A wealthy old lady - suddenly loses
eyesight - calls an eye specialist - doctor
demands exorbitant fees - lady agrees
to pay if cured - doctor starts treatment
steals antique decorative pieces -one
by one treatment ends - lady's vision
restored doctor demands fees lady
refuses to pay - doctor knocks the doors
of court - seeks justice - judge enquires
lady - lady explains - not completely
cured - cannot see antique items - kept
in showcase - judge understands - gives
verdict - lady's favour - arrests doctor for
cheating
Answers
Answer:
The Old Woman and the Doctor
A folktale from India
Retold by Rohini Chowdhury
Once, there lived an Old Woman who began to lose her eyesight till she became nearly blind. Worried that she may become blind, she went to consult a Doctor, who promised her that he could cure her, but in return for a high fee. The Old Woman agreed to pay the Doctor’s fee but only on condition that he restore her eyesight; if he failed to do so, she would pay him nothing. The Doctor agreed to her, and began his treatment.
The Doctor would visit the Old Woman regularly to see how she was getting on, and every time he came to see her, he would steal something or the other from her house. One day he would take a pot, another day a picture hanging upon the wall, and a third day a piece of furniture. Finally, when there was nothing left in the Old Woman’s house, the Doctor declared that his treatment was almost over. He paid her a last visit, and asked for his fee.
When the Old Woman saw that her house was completely empty, she refused to pay him his fee. In return the Doctor sued her and took her to Court. The Old Woman was brought into the court, and when questioned by the judge, she declared: ‘The Doctor is quite correct about our agreement. I agreed to pay him his fee if he cured me, and he agreed that he would charge nothing if he failed. Now he insists that I am cured, but how can that be? When he started his treatment, my eyes were failing, but I could see the furniture and other things in my house; but now, when according to him I am supposed to be cured, I can see nothing at all! Instead of curing me, the Doctor has blinded me!’
The Court understood what the Old Woman was saying; she went home free, while the Doctor spent the rest of his years in jail!