A surgeon once boasted about his ability.
A soldier, returning from battle with an arrow penetrating his leg, came to him for treatment.
The surgeon took a pair of sharp scissors and cut off the stem of the arrow close to the flesh, then asked for pay.
“But you haven’t taken out the head of the arrow,” complained the soldier.
”That’s an internal matter. That’s a physician’s business, not mine,” was the reply.
Allegorical Meaning
Superficial Solutions vs. Root Causes
The surgeon’s act of cutting only the visible arrow shaft while ignoring the embedded arrowhead satirizes those who address symptoms rather than underlying problems. This mirrors modern bureaucratic or technical “solutions” that are merely cosmetic.
Compartmentalized Thinking
His defense — “This is internal medicine’s job!” — critiques rigid specialization, where professionals disclaim responsibility beyond narrow boundaries, even when holistic action is needed.
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