By Somerset Maugham
A certain merchant in Baghdad sent his
servant to the market to buy some
provisions. A little while later, the
servant returned looking white in the face.
In a trembling voice he said, “Just now in
the market place I was jostled by a man in
the crowd, and when I turned I saw it was
Mr. Death. He looked at me and made a
threatening gesture. Please lend me your
horse, because I want to go to Samara where
Mr. Death will not be able to find me.” The
merchant agreed and lent the scared man his
horse. The servant mounted the horse and
rode away as fast as the animal could
gallop. Later that day, the merchant went
down to the market place and saw Mr. Death
standing in the crowd. He approached him and
said, “Why did you make a threatening
gesture to my servant when you saw him this
morning?” “That was not a threatening
gesture,” said Mr. Death. “It was only a
start of surprise. I was astonished to see
him in Baghdad, because I have an
appointment with him tonight in Samara.” |
