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reddened and was about to burst. He was in immense pain. His hand was also swollen.
The elders of the family learnt about his malady. The news spread around. Some knowledgeable people recommended to show him to an old lady for the treatment. They took him to show her. The old lady crushed some herbal leaves and applied the paste on the boil but there was no relief. Thereafter, the pain was so severe that he could not even raise his hand.
Someone said, "the only remedy to the problem is to use the hot iron rod treatment". Another suggested that if you want to give this treatment, don't go to a quack, rather take him to an expert barber. That child took the barber's name and address and directly went to see him, that too, alone.
The barber heated the iron rod till it became red. He raised the child's hand. His whole hand was swollen. The boil had matured and become deep red. The barber did not have the heart to give the hot rod treatment to such a small child with delicate hands. He said : "Child ! go home and crush herbal leaves and apply the paste. You will be cured !".
The child understood that the barber was hesitating and having pity on him. With the help of a small rag, he picked up the hot iron rod in his hand and asked him : "please show me the exact spot, where I should touch the rod". The barber merely pointed his finger to the spot and went away.
Very casually, the child took the hot iron rod and with his own hand burnt the boil. At intervals he kept rotating the rod on the boil. The barber standing far was aghast. He had treated
MIND YOUR mind : 53
