The Moral Vision
Broken Pledges
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BROKEN PLEDGES
Once a doctor was visited by a stranger who had a
box with him. He sat in a corner waiting until all the
patients had gone, and the doctor was left alone,
then with an air of secrecy he opened up the box in
front of the doctor. It contained a gold necklace. The
stranger told him that this chain was worth
Rs. 10,000, but hastened to add that he did not want
to sell it. He only wanted to borrow Rs. 5000 against
it. He had run into great difficulties and had felt
forced to pawn something valuable. He said that he
would be very grateful if the doctor could give him
enough money to see him through this emergency.
He promised to come back in one month’s time and
redeem the necklace. The doctor at first said that he
was not interested, and refused to give him any
money. But the man persisted, explaining his plight
in such a piteous way that the doctor softened and
agreed to help him out. He handed over the money,
then locked the chain in his safe.
Month after month elapsed, but there was no sign
of the man returning. The doctor began to feel
apprehensive. Then one day he decided to take the
