The Parable of the Doctor

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There was a young boy from a long lineage of esteemed doctors. His father was a doctor, as were his grandfather, great grandfather and so on. His father had healed many people and was well respected. In fact, many people could attest to this doctor saving their lives.
 

As time passed, the young boy turned into a young man.  His father also grew older. Finally, the day came when his father passed away.  At the funeral, the young man was impressed by all the people who spoke about how great of a doctor his father had been.

The young man had not known what he wanted to do with his life, but he wanted to do something.  His father had talked to him many times about becoming a doctor, but he could not convince himself it was what he wanted.  Still, when he saw the people whose lives had been transformed by his father, he decided right then to become the greatest doctor ever.

Though he had learned a lot by watching and listening to his father, he knew it wasn’t enough to become a doctor himself.  He applied to some of the top universities in the country and was accepted.  He studied day and night, and loved listening to lectures about medicine.  He quickly became known as a student with excellent knowledge in the field of medicine.

After university, he still did not feel good enough to see patients.  There were so many problems, and he needed to know more to save lives.  He subscribed to all the great medical journals and bought every book on medicine. His house was filled with stacks of books, a sight to behold.

People sometimes came to his house for medical advice, knowing of his knowledge.  He would politely tell them to go to the hospital, feeling unprepared to take on patients.  This went on for 40 years.

Finally, he grew older and passed away, found hunched over one of his books in his study.  He never saw a single patient or attempted to save another person.  Still, some thought of him as a great doctor, saying, “Look at how much he knew about medicine.”  Others replied, “But aren’t doctors supposed to save lives?”  What do you think?

- Layman Ray

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