Miserly Patient

One day, while eating fish, a bone became lodged in his throat and within minutes he could scarcely breathe. His wife frantically called the family doctor, who arrived just as the patient's face was turning blue. The physician quickly removed the bone with a pair of forceps.

When he was again breathing normally, although overwhelmed with gratitude to the doctor for saving his life, the doctor's fees were a bit worrisome to him.

Trying his best to keep his costs down, he turned to the good doctor and asked, "How much do I owe you for this small two-minute job?"

The doctor, who knew his patient's miserly habit too well, replied, "Just pay me half of what you would have when the bone was still stuck in your throat!"