No Exemption

Somu, Ramu, and Paramu were thick friends. They studied Medicine and began private practice together. It was decided that they would charge three rupees as fees from every patient, regardless of which doctor attended to them. It was agreed that each doctor would receive a share of one rupee every time a patient paid the fees.

One day, a lady came in complaining of a severe headache. She was Somu’s wife, Ambujam. “Could you give me some medicine?” she asked her husband.

“Please pay three rupees as fees,” said Ramu. “Only then will you get any medicine.”

“But I’m Dr. Somu’s wife!” the woman protested. “Do I, too, have to pay fees?”

“Of course!” insisted Ramu. Reluctantly, she handed him the money, and Ramu provided her with the required medicine. Afterward, Ambujam went to her husband and complained about the situation.

Somu pacified her, explaining, “If we were to give you free medicine, then we may have to extend the same privilege to the families and friends of Ramu and Paramu as well. That would create a bad practice and affect this institution. Today, we accepted money from you; tomorrow, we could do the same for their people too. Don’t feel like you’ve lost three rupees; you’ve only contributed to this institution.”

Ambujam was convinced. By the time she reached home, half of her headache was gone, relieved not just by the medicine but also by understanding the importance of fairness in their practice.