The Promised Donation

Seth Harit Kishore was ill; in fact, he had been bedridden for a long time. One day, he confided in his physician, “Vaidji, my physical condition is gradually affecting my mind. I cannot express the things I want to say. On the other hand, I find myself saying things I do not wish to share!”

“Don’t worry, sir. I will provide you with the best treatment possible. You will be all right in another month,” reassured the physician.

“If you can cure me within a month, I will donate one lakh rupees for the construction of your dispensary,” replied the Seth confidently.

Indeed, the Seth fully recovered in a month. The physician received his fees, but the Seth made no mention of the generous donation he had promised.

Eventually, one day, the physician kindly reminded him about it, hoping the promise would still hold.

“Vaidji! Have you forgotten the symptoms of my disease? I could not say the things I wanted to express; I found myself saying things I did not mean!” responded the Seth with a hint of irony.

The physician was left speechless, his reminder fading into the complexities of human memory and intent.