The Cobbler Turned Doctor

Unable to make a living by his trade, a cobbler, rendered desperate by poverty, began to practice medicine in a town in which he was not known. He sold a drug that he claimed was an antidote to all poisons, and obtained a great name for himself by long-winded puffs and advertisements.

He happened to fall sick of a serious illness, on which the governor of the town determined to test his skill. For this purpose he called for a cup and, while filling it with water, pretended to mix poison with the cobbler's antidote and commanded him to drink it, on the promise of a reward.

The cobbler, under the fear of death, confessed that he had no knowledge of medicine and was only made famous by the stupid clamors of the crowd. At this the governor called a public assembly and thus addressed the citizens; "Of what folly have you been guilty? You have not hesitated to entrust your heads to a man whom no one would employ to make even the shoes for their feet."