# The Doctor — Aesop's Fables character guide

> The Doctor in Aesop's Fables by Aesop.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** the Doctor, The Doctor, The Quack Doctor

**First appearance:** 0016-the-old-woman-and-the-doctor

## Who they are

A medical professional who appears in fables about false expertise.

## Relationships

### [The Old Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fables_se/characters/the_old_man)

_professional_

The Doctor likely treats the Old Man's ailments, with frequent visits suggesting ongoing medical care.

### [The Old Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fables_se/characters/the_old_man)

_professional_

The Doctor likely treats the Old Man's ailments, with frequent visits suggesting ongoing medical care.

### [The Old Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fables_se/characters/the_old_man)

_professional_

The Doctor likely treats the Old Man's ailments, with frequent visits suggesting ongoing medical care.

## In the story

### [The Old Woman and the Doctor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fables_se/chapters/the-old-woman-and-the-doctor)

The Doctor treats the Old Woman but steals her possessions, then sues for payment when she refuses.

### [The Sick Man and the Doctor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fables_se/chapters/the-sick-man-and-the-doctor)

The doctor repeatedly reassures the patient by calling each worsening symptom a 'good sign,' demonstrating either incompetence or deceit.

### [The Quack Doctor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fables_se/chapters/the-quack-doctor)

The quack doctor who falsely prophesies the man's imminent death and later feigns concern.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fables_se/characters/the_doctor
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fables_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/fables_se/characters