Once, in a quiet village, there lived a wealthy old lady who was slowly losing her sight. As her vision deteriorated, she became increasingly isolated and worried. Seeking a cure, she summoned a doctor known for his skill, but also for his greedy nature.
"Doctor," she said, "if my eyesight is completely restored, I will pay a handsome fee. But if the treatment fails, you will receive nothing".
The doctor's eyes revealed his avarice as he surveyed the old lady's luxurious home, filled with rare and expensive furniture. He readily agreed to the arrangement and began his daily visits. However, his greed grew with each visit. Instead of focusing on the cure, he started stealing valuable items from her home, one piece at a time. He delayed her treatment, knowing her blindness was the perfect cover for his crimes.
After several weeks, with the house nearly emptied of its most precious items, the doctor finally completed the cure. The old lady was overjoyed to have her sight back. But her joy turned to shock when she saw her mansion's bare state. The doctor, meanwhile, presented his bill.
"I promised to pay for a complete cure," she stated firmly. "But I will not pay now, as my sight has not been fully restored."
Furious and certain of his position, the greedy doctor brought the case to court. Before the judge, he detailed their agreement and demanded his fee. The judge then turned to the old lady.
"Why do you refuse to pay the doctor, since your vision has clearly been restored?" he asked.
The old lady replied calmly, "My Lord, when the doctor began treatment, my eyesight was failing, but the furniture was still visible. Now that he claims I am cured, I can see almost nothing in my house! How can my sight be fully restored if I cannot see my possessions?"
The wise judge immediately understood the situation and saw through the doctor's wicked scheme. He ruled in favor of the old lady, declaring that the doctor had failed to fulfill the agreement's terms. The dishonest doctor was punished for his greed and forced to return all the stolen items.
Moral of the story: Greed and dishonesty lead to downfall.