The doctor's fetch
The doctor's fetch
This is an old Irish tale about a wise doctor and a strange event that happens one evening. The story feels magical, with mystery and shadow.
In Ireland long ago, a doctor lived in a quiet town.
In Ireland long ago, a doctor lived in a quiet town.
He was wise, and many came to him for healing.
He was wise, and many came to him for healing.
He worked with herbs, with prayers, and with gentle hands.
He worked with herbs, with prayers, and with gentle hands.
One evening, as the sun sank low, the doctor’s servant opened the door.
One evening, as the sun sank low, the doctor’s servant opened the door.
To his shock, he saw the doctor himself walking into the house.
To his shock, he saw the doctor himself walking into the house.
Yet, the doctor was already upstairs, resting in his chair.
Yet, the doctor was already upstairs, resting in his chair.
The servant froze.
The servant froze.
The second doctor passed by in silence.
The second doctor passed by in silence.
His face was pale, his eyes far away, as if they gazed into another world.
His face was pale, his eyes far away, as if they gazed into another world.
He walked up the stairs and vanished into the dark.
He walked up the stairs and vanished into the dark.
The servant ran to his master.
The servant ran to his master.
“Sir!
“Sir!
I saw you come in again!”
I saw you come in again!”
he cried.
he cried.
The doctor grew grave.
The doctor grew grave.
He knew the tale.
He knew the tale.
A fetch had entered the house.
A fetch had entered the house.
The shadow double walks only once—for death.
The shadow double walks only once—for death.
Not long after, the doctor took to his bed.
Not long after, the doctor took to his bed.
His strength failed, his breath grew thin, and soon his spirit left this world, just as his fetch had foretold.
His strength failed, his breath grew thin, and soon his spirit left this world, just as his fetch had foretold.
Shadows remind us that life is short.
Shadows remind us that life is short.
Heal what you can, love while you may, for no one can fetch back the hours once they pass.
Heal what you can, love while you may, for no one can fetch back the hours once they pass.