The What Is Good for One Is Not Good for All story type (ATU 1862F)

The 'What Is Good for One Is Not Good for All' story type (ATU 1862F) explores the humorous, and sometimes stark, consequences of applying a single solution to vastly different problems, often through the misadventures of an unqualified healer. These tales invite us to ponder the unique needs of every individual, reminding us that wisdom lies in understanding context, not in rigid rules.

The pattern

This story type consistently features a character, often a quack doctor, who stumbles upon a seemingly miraculous cure for an ailment. The tale begins with a sick individual, perhaps a smith, who, by sheer coincidence or a robust constitution, recovers after following the doctor's unusual advice – like eating a specific, rich food. Encouraged by this apparent success, the doctor then applies the exact same prescription to a second, entirely different patient, such as a tailor. The predictable, and often unfortunate, outcome is that the second patient does not recover, highlighting the doctor's lack of true understanding and the danger of generalizing a specific experience.

How cultures tell it

This particular story pattern has found a home in at least four distinct cultures, demonstrating its universal appeal in pointing out human folly. While the core structure remains, the specific characters and their ailments shift, reflecting local customs and humor. In one telling, it might be a gruff blacksmith cured by a hearty meal, while in another, a delicate weaver might meet a different fate from the same 'remedy'. Just as different birds have unique habitats and diets, such as the varied needs explored in The Birch-cock and the Birds of Passage story type (ATU 232), so too do people require tailored care. These tales often serve as a gentle, or sometimes sharp, reminder of the importance of individual observation and understanding, much like how a careful observer might discern Which Bird Is Father A very small bird goes to God with his adult son, and asks God to guess which of them is the father and which the son story type (ATU 232C*) by subtle cues.

Motifs that define it

The central idea of this tale type revolves around a 'quack doctor' or an unqualified healer. This figure is not necessarily malicious, but rather misguided, relying on luck rather than genuine medical knowledge. The initial 'cure' is often attributed to a specific, sometimes absurd, dietary recommendation, like 'bacon pancakes' or 'cauliflower with bacon' given three times a day. The key is that this remedy works for the first patient, often a robust individual like a smith, who then recovers and returns to hard work. This apparent success leads the doctor to believe their method is universally effective. The tragic turn comes when the same prescription is given to a second, often weaker or differently afflicted, patient, such as a tailor, who subsequently dies. This stark contrast underscores the tale's core message: what benefits one person can be harmful to another, emphasizing the need for discernment. Even in tales of cleverness, like The A Crow Drops Pebbles into a Water Jug story type (ATU 232D*), the solution is specific to the problem at hand.

Reading it with kids

These stories offer wonderful opportunities to discuss empathy, critical thinking, and the idea that everyone is unique. For younger children, focus on the humor of the doctor's mistake and the importance of listening to different people's needs. You might ask, "Why do you think what helped the smith didn't help the tailor?" Older versions of this folktale can become quite dark, with the second patient's death serving as a grim lesson. When choosing a telling for children, look for versions that soften the ending, perhaps with the second patient simply not getting better, or the doctor learning a valuable lesson without a tragic outcome. It’s a chance to explore how different people, and even different creatures, have unique needs and reactions.