Crab was a poor peasant who sold wood in the city. One day, he sold it to a doctor and was very impressed with his house and prosperity. “Can I too become a doctor?” he asked. The doctor said, “Certainly! Get an alphabet book with a picture of a cock crowing, sell off your cart and oxen to buy suitable clothes and then put up a board outside saying ‘Doctor All-Wise’!” Crab did as advised and soon came to be well-known in the city. One day, a nobleman came to his door and asked him to come home with him. “My money has been stolen and I want you to find it, please,” said the nobleman, “Have dinner with me and find out where my money is.” Crab agreed, but wished to take his wife, Grethel, along too. The nobleman invited her, too. They reached his house in time for dinner.
The Discovery
When the first dish was served by the first servant, Crab murmured to his wife, “That’s the first!” But the servant, who was one of the thieves, thought he meant that he was the first thief! The same happened as the second and third servants served the dishes. Each of them had been involved in the theft, so they felt very guilty. When the fourth servant brought a covered dish, the nobleman asked, “Guess what’s in it!” Doctor All-wise muttered, “Poor Crab!” The fourth servant was terrified, for he realised the Doctor knew everything. So, the four servants quietly called him aside and confessed their theft. “Please do not tell our master,” they begged, “Here’s the money and we’ll give you a gift too!” So, Crab acted as if he had been reading his book to find the hiding place of the money. The nobleman was happy to get his money back and Doctor All-Wise became famous!
