"Have you hurt yourself?"
"My ankle," the old man replied. "Just a slight sprain. I'll be all right. Don't bother about me. Be on your way."
The other squatted beside the old man. "Let me help you. Lean on my shoulder and use your staff. The next town is not far. Together we can get you to a doctor."
The old man's face began to twitch, his cheeks grew red; his anger mounted. He pushed the traveler away, reached for his staff and quickly beat the life from the one who had stopped to help him. Then he rose to his feet, using his bloody staff to help keep his balance.
He spat on the fallen traveler and said, "Are you my keeper? Did I ask for our help? No and no."
And leaning on his staff, the old man hobbled away toward the town to seek out a doctor to relieve his distress.