Josef Malík is getting on in years and he has stomach problems. The doctor recommends a spell in hospital. Mr Malík was in hospital two years before and remembers what a nightmare it was. The porter had made him stand for ages in the rain. Because there were no signs on the doors, the future patient had wandered down the unfriendly hospital corridors and then had waited several hours to be admitted. The whole time he was bombarded with the noise and confusion reigning in the hospital. Placed in a broken bed he was unable to sleep, the patients noisily whispered amongst themselves trying to figure out his state of health. Even the loud singing of the cleaners did not make him feel any better. The senior consultant's unconcerned comments about his illness and the unwanted visit from his loud relative Klotilda forced Malík to run away from the hospital. Mr Malík is dreading entering the same clinic. On this occasion, however, the porter is willing, the hospital corridors are painted and full of flowers and the nurses and doctors are very kind to him. Everywhere it is quiet, peaceful and clean. When the intrusive Klotilda is told to leave the hospital, the patient Malík now believes that he will be cured.
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