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By the way, just before I left, the authorities were making

arrangements to prosecute all the doctors, because they won't let

sick men die in the course of nature, but use their arts to keep

them alive. They were going to charge you along with the rest,

till I assured them that you were no doctor, but a mere

impostor."

THE LION, THE WOLF, AND THE FOX

A Lion, infirm with age, lay sick in his den, and all the beasts

of the forest came to inquire after his health with the exception

of the Fox. The Wolf thought this was a good opportunity for

paying off old scores against the Fox, so he called the attention

of the Lion to his absence, and said, "You see, sire, that we

have all come to see how you are except the Fox, who hasn't come

near you, and doesn't care whether you are well or ill." Just

then the Fox came in and heard the last words of the Wolf. The

Lion roared at him in deep displeasure, but he begged to be

allowed to explain his absence, and said, "Not one of them cares

for you so much as I, sire, for all the time I have been going

round to the doctors and trying to find a cure for your illness."

"And may I ask if you have found one?" said the Lion.