Long ago in Greece, there lived a King who was very ill. No one could cure his disease though many physicians tried to heal him.
One day, a physician named Douban came to the court. He was a very learned man and spoke several languages. He was a philosopher and had knowledge of herbs too. He examined the King and offered to cure him without any potion or application of any ointment either. The King was very impressed and said he would reward him with great riches if he cured him.
The physician went to the place where he was staying and bought a mace. He hollowed its handle and placed in it many drugs and herbs. Similarly, he prepared a ball, filling it up with his medicines.
The next day, he went to the King and presented them to him. “Play with these, Sir, till you perspire,” he advised, “The medicines in them will cure you. Then go home, have a bath and sleep.”
The King followed his instructions thoroughly and found to his amazement that he was cured the next day! He was so happy that he praised Douban, and gifted him rich robes and two thousand gold pieces every day. He invited him to dine with him daily too.
The King’s affection for Douban soon roused the jealousy of his vazirs. The King was influenced by them and ordered that Douban should be executed. Douban said that after his head was cut off, the King must read his book. After the execution, the King turned the pages of Douban’s book that had been touched with poison. As he licked his finger to turn the pages, he was poisoned to death. That was his punishment for being so unjust to Douban!
