The Doctor’s word is short inspiring story written Famous Indian author, R.K Narayan. The story was originally published in 1943 in author’s favorite collection “Malgudi Days”. The main theme of story is Friendship, Honesty and Sympathy.
The Doctor’s Word By R.K Narayan Summary

Summary of The Doctor’s Word By R.K Narayan
Narayan’s “The Doctor’s Word” story begins with character, Raman, a famous Doctor from town, Malgudi. Dr. Raman is one of the most expensive Doctor of his town. He charge 25 Rupees fees per patient. The people goes to Dr. Raman when they have no hope to survive. One of the reason people goes to Dr. Raman is because he never lies.
Dr. Raman is more judge than Doctor which means if he say patient would not survive then he won’t survive no matter what. We can say patient lives depend on Dr. Raman’s words. His life biggest principle is to not give false hope to anyone.
Yet today,, Dr. Raman is stuck in situation where he doesn’t know what to do. Today his dearest and closest friend, Gopal is hospitalized and lying in front of him. Gopal is friend to Raman for 40 years. Gopal is the only person in world to whom Dr. Raman considers his best and lovely friend.
But from last 3 months Dr. Raman is not in contact with Gopal. Gopal is sick but still he doesn’t call Dr. Raman. Dr. Raman get to know about Gopal sickness via Gopal’s son. Gopal’s son ask Dr. Raman to meet his father.
When Dr. Raman goes to meet Gopal he was in operation theatre. So he ask Gopal’s family about his illness. They tell him that Gopal is ill from last 2.5 months. Dr. Raman is shocked as Gopal is sick from 2.5 months and they are telling him about it now.
Dr. Raman ask which Doctor is looking after Gopal. Gopal’s wife tells him about Gopal’s doctor. Thereafter, Dr. Raman started operating Gopal by himself. He operate him for several hours and improve is passing pulse. Dr. Raman doesn’t know whether Gopal is improving or not.
Gopal open his eyes after 3-4 hours at around 11 clock. When he saw his best friend, Dr Raman standing near to him, he gives him a smile. Raman is looking his friend quietly. Gopal’s wife ask Dr. Raman 2-3 times whether Gopal is out of danger or not. Raman doesn’t give any answer to her.
He told Gopal’s wife to give him wine in span of four hours. Gopal ask Raman whether he will survive or not. I trust your words and know that you would never lie to me. So please tell me.
Dr. Raman knows that it would be difficult for Gopal to live for a night. So for the first time in his life Dr. Raman first time lies to Gopal that he won’t die. These words of Raman gives hope and happiness to Gopal.
Thereafter, Raman goes back to home, he knows that his friend is not gonna survive. But next day miracle happen, when Raman goes to meet Gopal, he was alive and improving. Maybe it’s a power of Raman words which gave belief and hope to Gopal. Trust can keep a person alive.