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FableNº 249

The Sick Man and the Doctor

A sick man, questioned about his condition by the doctor, replied that he had sweated more than was reasonable. "That's good," said the doctor. Questioned a second time about his health, he said he had been seized with a chill and badly shaken. "That's good too," said the doctor. A third time the doctor came to see him and questioned him about his illness. He replied that he had had diarrhoea. "That's good as well," said the doctor, and he withdrew. One of his relatives, having come to see him and asking how he was, "As for me," he replied, "I'm dying of being so well."

It often happens like this: our neighbours, judging only by outward appearances, think us happy over things that inwardly cause us the keenest grief.
Moral

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