The Old Man and Death
An old labourer, bent double with age and toil, was gathering sticks in a forest. At last he grew so tired and hopeless that he threw down the bundle of sticks, and cried out: "I cannot bear this life any longer. Ah, I wish Death would only come and take me!"
As he spoke, Death, a grisly skeleton, appeared and said to him: "What wouldst thou, Mortal? I heard thee call me."
"Please, sir," replied the woodcutter, "would you kindly help me to lift this faggot of sticks on to my shoulder?"
We would often be sorry if our wishes were gratified.
Image Information: a photo with the title of the story. Web Source: Wikimedia Commons.
There was once an old labourer who live on the countryside. The man owned a large farm in which he had much cattle and crops among many other resources that contributed to his success. He had a beautiful family and an all around beautiful life. Many would consider him to be a lucky man that gets everything for which he wishes.
"Please, let me have a bountiful harvest this year," the old labourer requested. And just like that his wish was granted. That year he produced the biggest harvest he had ever produced in his lifetime. The man had gotten used to all of his success and did not seem to mind receiving everything for which he wished.
The old man was not just simply a farmer. He also worked in the forest nearby his cottage to gather wood to sell for firewood. The man had done this task since he was just a young boy; every single day, the man would trek out to the forest.
One day, the old man was working in the woods just as he had all the days of his life. He worked in the forest his entire life chopping down trees for firewood and gathering sticks. His job was hard work and the labor had started to grow hard on him over the years. As his body grew old and tired, he could feel his work becoming more difficult.
After many long hours in the field one afternoon, the old man grew so tired and hopeless that he threw down the bundle of sticks he was holding, and cried out: "I cannot bear this life any longer. Ah, I wish Death would only come and take me!"
As soon as his words left his mouth, Death appeared before him. He had never met Death before but it was always what he imagined it would be. Death was dark and a mere grisly skeleton. Finally, Death spoke to the man and said: "What wouldst thou, Mortal? I heard thee call me."
The old man replied, "Why, yes! Would you kindly help me to lift this faggot of sticks on to my shoulder?"
Death responded, "No, for you have called my name and anyone who calls my name must come with me."
"I was only exaggerating," pleaded the woodcutter, "I love my life and do not wish for you to take me from my family and loved ones!"
"If you love your life then you should have made sure not to mention my name," said Death.
The man responded "Yes, I shall be sure to never say thy name in the future until I am ready to leave this earth and join you."
"My name has already been said," replied Death, "I must take you with me now and let you be a lesson to teach others to be careful for what they wish."
And before the old man could say another word, Death whisked him away; never to be seen again.
How sorry would we be if ALL of our wishes were gratified.
Author's Note: The original story was about an old labourer who does his work in the woods picking up sticks. One day, he grows very tired and wishes that Death would take him. However, when Death greets him, he simply asks for help doing his work. The moral of the story is that we should be careful what we wish for because it may be terribly bad if we get what we want. I decided to stick with the main theme of the story but add a plot twist where Death still decides to take the old man anyway. I also added in some more background to the man's life and added in the fact that he was used to reaping positive benefits as a result of his wishes.
Bibliography: The original story is titled "The Old Man and Death" and is found in the book Aesop's Fables (Jacobs).
