The Holy Confessor Barlaam and Josaphat

...so they were envious, rebellious, and hateful toward him. They plotted day and night how they might report and accuse him before the King. Now it happened that at one time the King rode out to the hunt as was his custom, and many servants were with him. This pious, God-fearing man also rode out, doubtless by the inspiration of God. As he rode alone through the woods, he saw a man lying in a dark, thick, forested place. The man had been badly injured by a wild beast and his feet were mangled. When the man saw the counselor riding by, he cried out to him. He begged the counselor to have mercy on him in this misfortune and have him brought to his house. He added that the counselor would not do this without reward, and would see for himself that such a kindness was not done in vain.

Upon this, the excellent man said to him: "I will take you into my house out of brotherly and fatherly love. I will care for you as much as possible. However, I do not know how or in what way this will be useful to me in the future." The sick man answered: "I am a man and an Arzet der Wort doctor of words. For those who are wounded or harmed by words, I can provide such medicine that the sickness will never return." The God-fearing man brushed these words aside. Nevertheless, out of Christian love, he ordered that the injured man be brought to his house and faithfully cared for.

In the meantime, his detractors those who were jealous of him did not rest. They sought ways and means to carry out the envious plan they had conceived against him. Therefore, they...