FABLE XXVII
by John Gay · from Fables of John Gay (Somewhat Altered)
Adapted Version
An old man was in his big bed. The bed was soft. The man was very sick. He felt weak and tired. A doctor came to the room. The doctor looked at the man. The doctor was very sad. He said, "It is time for deep sleep."
The doctor left the room. The old man was all alone. He looked around his big room. He looked at all his wonderful things. He had so many toys. He had cars and balls and games. He had tall stacks of books. The books had many pictures. He kept all his things for himself. He never shared his toys. He never shared his books.
The old man had a secret plan. He thought about his plan. "I will go to sleep soon," he thought. "My long sleep will start. Then everyone can have my things. They can have my toys and books. They will see I am a good man. They will all like me then."
Then, a light filled the room. An angel was there by the bed. The angel was quiet and very kind. Its face was warm and gentle. The angel had a soft, clear voice. It said, "That is not the best way. That is not how to be kind."
The angel asked, "What good can you do now?" Think about your friend next door. Your friend is a small, sad boy. He has no toys of his own. He looks at your toys. He wants to play with just one. Give him one of your toys. Please share with him right now.
The old man did not like that idea. He held his toy car tightly. "Why now?" the man asked the angel. "He can have the toy later on. I will wait until tomorrow comes. Maybe I will feel better then. I want my lovely toy now."
The angel looked very sad. The angel's soft voice was quiet. "You want to give your toy away. But you want to wait. You wait until you cannot play with it. That is not real kindness at all. Real kindness is sharing things now. It is making someone happy now. It is not about waiting for later."
"I still want to wait," the man said. He turned away from the angel. He closed his eyes to think. He went to sleep. It was a very, very long sleep. He did not wake up again. And all his things were left all alone. No one got to play with them.
Original Story
FABLE XXVII.
Sick Man and Angel.
"Is there no hope?" the sick man said.
The silent doctor shook his head,
And took his leave with unfeigned sorrow
To lose a patient on the morrow.
When left alone, the dying man
"Let me review my life"—began;
"My bargains—well, they were well made;
'Tis the necessity of trade—
Necessity is no transgression.
Now for my portion in possession:
My lands and my securities,
They all are right, in every wise.
If justice to myself and heirs
Have done some hardships unawares,—
Left Smith in jail for debt, or sent
The Browns adrift for unpaid rent,—
I've given alms and helped my friends,
What I propose will make amends:
When I am numbered with the dead,
And when my good bequests are read,
Then will be seen and then be known
Benevolence I have not shown."
The angel, present by his side,
Bade him not in such hopes confide:
"What deed have you done worthy praise?
What orphan blesses, widow prays,
To lengthen out your life one year?
If you will now add deeds to prayer—
Your neighbours want, whilst you abound—
Give me a cheque—five hundred pound."
"Where is the haste?" the sick man whines;
"Who knows—who knows what Heaven designs:
That sum, and more, are in my will;
Perhaps I may recover still."
"Fool!" said the angel: "it is plain
That your great happiness was gain;
And after death would fain atone
By giving what is not your own."
"Whilst there is life, there's hope!" he cried;
"Then why such haste?"—he spoke, and died.
Story DNA
Moral
True charity and good deeds must be performed in life, not merely promised after death with what is no longer your own.
Plot Summary
A wealthy, sick man is told he will die soon. He reflects on his life, justifying his past harsh business dealings by believing his generous bequests in his will will atone for his actions after his death. An angel appears, challenging his self-delusion and demanding an immediate act of charity for his needy neighbors. The man procrastinates, clinging to his wealth and the hope of recovery, until the angel rebukes him for trying to give away what will no longer be his. The man dies mid-sentence, still refusing to part with his money in life.
Themes
Emotional Arc
self-delusion to stark realization (for the reader)
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
John Gay's fables often satirized contemporary society and morality in 18th-century England, reflecting common attitudes towards wealth, charity, and death.
Plot Beats (8)
- A sick man is informed by his doctor that he will die the next day.
- Alone, the man reflects on his life, justifying his past business practices and acknowledging some hardships he caused.
- He comforts himself with the thought that his generous bequests, outlined in his will, will demonstrate his benevolence after his death.
- An angel appears by his side and advises him not to rely on such hopes.
- The angel questions what good deeds the man has done in life and asks him to give 500 pounds to his needy neighbors immediately.
- The man hesitates, asking why the haste, stating the sum is in his will, and expressing hope for recovery.
- The angel rebukes him, calling him a 'fool' and pointing out that his happiness was rooted in gain, and he seeks to atone with money that will no longer be his.
- The man, still protesting and clinging to the hope of life, dies as he speaks.
Characters
The Sick Man ★ protagonist
A man of advanced age, likely thin and frail from prolonged illness, with a gaunt face and visible signs of physical decline. His posture would be weak and slumped, indicative of someone bedridden.
Attire: A simple, loose-fitting nightshirt or nightgown made of plain white or cream linen, possibly with a light wool blanket draped over him, suggesting a domestic, sickbed setting typical of 18th-century England.
Wants: To justify his life's actions, preserve his wealth, and secure a favorable afterlife without genuine sacrifice.
Flaw: Greed and self-deception, believing that future intentions can atone for past and present inaction.
He remains unchanged, dying in his self-delusion and greed, unable to grasp the true meaning of charity or atonement.
Self-serving, deluded, avaricious, procrastinating, hypocritical.
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly man lying in a simple bed, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a gaunt, pale face with sunken eyes, a thin, wispy grey hair, and a sallow complexion. He wears a plain white linen nightshirt. His expression is one of desperate self-justification and a touch of fear. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Angel ◆ supporting
A celestial being of ethereal beauty, radiating a gentle light. Tall and slender, with an otherworldly grace.
Attire: Flowing, seamless robes of pure white or soft, iridescent fabric, appearing to be woven from light itself, with no visible seams or fastenings. Perhaps a subtle golden sash or trim, suggesting divine authority.
Wants: To guide the dying man towards genuine repentance and understanding of true charity before his death.
Flaw: None apparent; as a divine messenger, the Angel embodies truth and justice.
Remains constant, serving as a moral compass and a voice of divine truth.
Wise, compassionate, firm, discerning, truthful.
Image Prompt & Upload
An ethereal being standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. It has a serene, compassionate face with clear, knowing eyes, and flowing, luminous golden hair. It wears flowing, seamless robes of pure white iridescent fabric. Its posture is upright, serene, and weightless, radiating a gentle light. Its expression is wise and discerning. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Silent Doctor ○ minor
A professional man, likely of a respectable build, dressed in formal attire befitting an 18th-century physician. His demeanor would be somber and professional.
Attire: A dark, tailored frock coat made of wool or broadcloth, with a waistcoat, breeches, white linen shirt, and cravat. His attire would be practical yet formal, indicating his profession and social standing.
Wants: To provide medical care and deliver a difficult prognosis with dignity.
Flaw: None explicitly shown; his role is purely functional.
A static character, serving to confirm the sick man's impending death.
Professional, compassionate (despite his silence), somber, resigned.
Image Prompt & Upload
An adult man standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a serious, grave expression on his face, with dark hair tied back in a queue. He wears a dark wool frock coat, a white linen shirt, a cravat, and dark breeches. His posture is somber and professional, with a slight slump of sorrow. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
The Sick Man's Bedchamber
A private, somewhat opulent bedchamber in a European-style home, likely of a wealthy merchant or landowner. The room would be furnished with a large, comfortable bed, perhaps a heavy wooden chest or wardrobe, and possibly a small table with medicine bottles. The air is still and heavy with the scent of illness.
Mood: Somber, reflective, tense, with an underlying sense of desperation and regret.
The sick man confronts his mortality, reviews his life, and attempts to bargain for salvation with an angel.
Image Prompt & Upload
A dimly lit, opulent 18th-century European bedchamber. A large, ornately carved wooden four-poster bed dominates the scene, with heavy velvet drapes partially drawn. A pale, elderly man lies weakly in the bed, his face etched with worry. Soft, diffused light filters through a tall window, illuminating dust motes in the still air. A small, dark wooden table beside the bed holds a few glass bottles and a flickering candle. The atmosphere is heavy and quiet. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
