A woman once lived in Baghdad. She was so heavy and fat that she could hardly walk.  One day she was fed up with her condition and went to see a doctor. She was sure that he could give her a cure for her obesity. When it was her turn, he asked her how she was feeling. The woman replied: "Fine, fine, but I have come for you to examine me and give me a medicine for my obesity." The doctor thought for a moment and then said: "God willing. But to know what medicine will help you, I'll have to consult my oracle book. Come back tomorrow." And with that answer, the woman made her way home. When she went back to the doctor the next morning and asked about her medicine, he said: "I have consulted my book of oracles. You will die in seven days anyway. That's why you don't need any more medicine, because you're going to die anyway."

These words hit the woman hard. Sadly, she went home and thought. All her grief made her lose the desire to eat and drink. Because she no longer had anything to eat, she lost weight. When the seven days were up, she did not die. Even on the eighth day, she woke up in the morning. So she went to the doctor again. "Today is the eighth day and I haven't died."

The doctor looked at her: "Yes, but are you fat or thin?"

"I am thin. The fear of death made me lose weight."

"Exactly!" replied the doctor "You see, fear for your life was your best medicine."

So the woman went home with a light heart and a light step.

Märchen aus Somalia, Fassung Anina Meile, nach: Carl Meinhof,  Afrikanische Märchen, Jena, englische Fassung Lysander Jaenike ©Mutabor Märchenstiftung