In "The Doctor's Word" R.K.Narayan tells the story how a doctor's word save the life of a patient. Dr.Raman was an experienced doctor. He spoke plainly and always spoke the truth. So, his pronouncemed were held in high esteem.

Gopal was the dearest friend of Dr.Raman. They had been friends fro fourty years. They spent their time in dinning, seeing a picture and talking. Their friendship was not at all affected by changing of time. One day Dr.Raman was informed that Gopal was ill. He went to Gopal's house. Gopal was lying on the bed as if asleep. Dr.Raman examined him and gave necessary treatment. He was worried about his friends life and he had no hope of saving his life.

The patient asked the doctor about his condition. He wanted to sign the will and settled the property before he dies. Dr.Raman decided to tell a lie. For the first time in life, he told his patient a lie. He informed Gopal that he would live for long time. Gopal was relieved to hear this information. The next morning the doctor was surprised to fined Gopal alive with study pulse. How the patient survive would be a puzzle to him all his life.