An elderly retired farmer became bored after leaving farm life, so he decided to open a small medical clinic.
Outside, he put up a sign that read:
“Treatment: $500. If I can’t cure you, I’ll pay you $1,000.”
A young doctor was convinced the old man knew nothing about medicine.
“This is an easy way to make a thousand dollars,” he thought.
So he visited the clinic.
“I’ve lost my sense of taste,” the young doctor said. “Can you help me?”
The old doctor called to his nurse.
“Please bring the medicine from Box 22 and put three drops into his mouth.”
The young doctor immediately spat it out.
“Yuck! That’s gasoline!”
The old doctor smiled.
“Congratulations! Your sense of taste is back. That’ll be $500.”
Annoyed, the young doctor paid and left.
A few days later, he returned with another plan.
“I’ve lost my memory,” he said. “I can’t remember anything.”
The old doctor calmly said,
“Nurse, please bring the medicine from Box 22 and put three drops into his mouth.”
The young doctor quickly protested,
“Not again! That’s gasoline!”
The old doctor grinned.
“Congratulations! Your memory has returned. That’ll be another $500.”
Now out $1,000, the young doctor became even more determined.
Several days later, he came back one last time.
“My eyesight has become very poor,” he said. “I can barely see.”
The old doctor shrugged.
“I’m sorry. I don’t have any medicine for that. Here’s your $1,000.”
The young doctor looked at the money and frowned.
“But this is only $500.”
The old doctor smiled.
“Congratulations! Your vision is back. That’ll be $500.”
Moral of the story:
Never underestimate the wisdom and experience of someone older than you.