The Cure for Idiocy

The Young Man Known as Idiot

In a certain village, there lived a young man whose real name nobody remembered. He was called “Idiot” by everyone. Let us also call him by that name, though we know that people often mistake innocence for idiocy. He was, indeed, a good-hearted young man.

The Old Woman of the Mountain

“Hello, Idiot! Have you ever heard about the old woman of the mountain? Why don’t you meet her and ask for a cure for your idiocy?” The villagers often advised him. Idiot had heard a lot about the old woman, who cured people of their ailments with her magical herbs and provided solutions to their problems. One day, Idiot decided to seek her advice.

The Encounter

The old woman was busy boiling some mysterious concoctions when Idiot approached her. He said politely, “Granny! People say that I am an idiot. Can you cure me of my idiocy?”

“I can. But first, you must fulfill a condition. You need to bring me the thing you value most. Only then can I cure you!” said the old woman.

“That I can bring at once! We have a dog that is very dear to me, and I also love kites. I can bring either of them!” said the young man, feeling hopeful about becoming ‘normal.’

“That will not suffice, my boy! I repeat, you must bring me the thing you value most! And you cannot deceive me. Once you bring it, I will ask you a question, and I will know if you have brought the right thing only if you can answer me correctly.”

“Oh, all right. Let me go home and think about it. I will meet you tomorrow,” said the pensive young man as he left for home.

A Mother’s Insight

He shared everything with his mother upon returning home. After some thought, he exclaimed, “Now I know what I should carry to the old woman. I will bring a fowl!”

“You mean chicken curry?” his mother asked with a hint of skepticism.

“Do as you like,” she replied.

The Test of Value

Idiot proceeded to the mountain immediately, producing a fowl before the old woman. “This is the thing I value most!” he declared.

“We shall see. Now tell me, what is the thing that runs without legs?” asked the old woman.

Idiot thought for a long time but could not answer.

“My boy! You have not brought the thing you value most. You may go now and return when you have found the right thing,” said the old woman, turning away.

Idiot returned home, feeling very sad. Days passed, and one day he told his mother, “What I value most has just occurred to me. Mother! I value you the most. Now, let me take you to the old woman.”

Another Chance

The mother was anxious to see her son cured of his “idiocy.” They made their way to the mountain, where the young man said, “Granny! This is my mother, whom I value most.”

“Is that so?” said the old woman. “Then let us hear your answer to this question: What is that which glows like gold; you wear it, but cannot hold it?”

Idiot stood scratching his head for a long time but could not answer.

“Go away, boy, and come back when you have found the right thing,” said the old woman as she turned away.

A New Journey

Idiot and his mother returned home, and days went by. He eventually gave up hope of curing his idiocy. However, during his frequent trips to the mountain, he rested near the cottage of a woodcutter, an elderly man with no family except a granddaughter. After some time, the old man passed away, and Idiot, finding his granddaughter helpless, married her.

She was an intelligent girl who assisted her husband in all his endeavors, and they were a happy couple.

The Final Test

One day, the young man said to his wife, “Let us go to the mountain. I now believe I can truly satisfy the old woman.”

When they met the old woman, Idiot stated, “Look here, Granny! I have finally brought what I value most.”

The old woman eyed them and remarked, “In that case, you should be able to answer: What is the thing that runs without legs?”

Idiot’s wife whispered the answer: “It is water that runs without legs!”

“Hmm!” said the old woman. “Now for the next question: What is the thing that glows like gold, you wear it, but cannot hold it?”

Once again, his wife whispered to him, and he confidently replied, “It is the sun! We wear sunshine, but we cannot hold it!”

“Very good,” said the old woman. “You are already in possession of the cure for idiocy!”

“How?” asked the young man, puzzled.

“The idiocy is cured by his wife,” said the old woman. “And you have found your cure!”