The Old Woman and the Doctor

Name: The Old Woman and the Doctor
Author: Esopo

The Old Woman and the Doctor is a fable written by Esopo. The story goes as follows: An old woman who lived in a village was very ill and went to see a doctor. The doctor examined her and said, "I can cure you, but it will cost you one of your eyes." The old woman was desperate to get better, so she agreed to the doctor's demand. The moral of the story is that sometimes, in order to gain something, we must give up something else of value.

By Esopo · First published 1668 · Genre: Fable, Children's Literature, Classic Literature · 280 words

First lines

An Old Woman became almost totally blind from a disease of the eyes, and, after consulting a Doctor, made an agreement with him in the presence of witnesses that she should pay him a high fee if he cured her, while if he failed he was to receive nothing. The Doctor accordingly prescribed a course of treatment, and every time he paid her a visit he took away with him some article out of the house, until at last, when he visited her for the last time, and the cure was complete, there was nothing left. When the Old Woman saw that the house was empty she refused to pay him his fee; and, after repeated refusals on her part, he sued her before the magistrates for payment of her debt. On being brought into court she was ready with her defence. "The claimant," said she, "has stated the facts about our agreement correctly. I undertook to pay him a fee if he cured me, and he, on his part, promised to charge nothing if he failed.

What this Textopian page supports

The Old Woman and the Doctor is listed on Textopian as a fable by Esopo, dated 1668 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Fable
Author: Esopo
Date: 1668 CE
Language: English
Genres: Fable, Children's Literature, Classic Literature, Moralistic Fiction, Fantasy
Length: 280 words
Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

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Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Similar titles

Genres

Fable — As a work of Esopo, this is a fable which is a brief, succinct story that contains a moral or a message. Aesop's fables are known for their storytelling and often role of animals or inanimate objects.
Children's Literature — The simplicity and the moral aspect of Esopo's work make it suitable for children. Commonly, his fables are used to educate children about various life lessons.
Classic Literature — Being part of Esopo's body of work, it undoubtedly falls into the realm of classic literature.
Moralistic Fiction — Esopo's works, including 'The Old Woman and the Doctor', often contain moral teachings, utilizing simple narratives to convey timeless wisdom.