"I will make the boy rich and renowned throughout the world, for he who has me for a friend can want nothing."
"Next Sunday will he be christened, mind and come at the right time."
Death accordingly appeared as he had promised, and stood godfather to the child.
When the boy grew up his godfather came to him one day, and took him into a wood, and said—
"Now shall you have your godfather's present. I will make a most famous physician of you. Whenever you are called to a sick person, I will take care and show myself to you. If I stand at the foot of the bed, say boldly, 'I will soon restore you to health,' and give the patient a little herb that I will point out to you, and he will soon be well. If, however, I stand at the head of the sick person, he is mine; then say, 'All help is useless; he must soon die.'"
Then Death showed him the little herb, and said—
"Take heed that you never use it in opposition to my will."
It was not long before the young fellow was the most celebrated physician in the whole world.
"The moment he sees a person," said every one, "he knows whether or not he'll recover."