In ancient times, a giant was traveling on a highway when a stranger suddenly appeared before him and commanded, "Halt! Not one step farther!"
"What!" cried the giant. "A creature I could crush between my fingers dares to block my way? Who are you to speak so boldly?"
"I am Death," replied the stranger. "No one resists me, and you too must obey." But the giant refused and began to struggle with Death.
After a long and violent battle, the giant gained the upper hand and struck Death down with his fist, leaving him weak and defeated by a stone. The giant went on his way.
Death lay there, thinking, "If I stay here, no one will die. The world will become so crowded that people won't have room to stand."
Soon, a strong and healthy young man came along, singing and glancing around. Seeing the faint figure, he compassionately helped Death up, gave him a strengthening drink from his flask, and waited for him to recover.
"Do you know who I am, whom you have helped?" asked the stranger as he rose.
"No," answered the youth.
"I am Death," he said. "I spare no one, and cannot make exceptions. But to show my gratitude, I promise I will not take you unexpectedly. I will send my messengers before I come for you."
"Well," said the youth, "it's something to know when you will come. At least I am safe until then." He went on his way light-hearted, enjoying life without a care.
But youth and health did not last. Soon, sickness and sorrow tormented him day and night.
"I shall not die yet," he told himself, "for Death will send his messengers first. I just wish these wretched days were over." As soon as he felt better, he returned to his merry life.
One day, someone tapped his shoulder. He turned and saw Death standing behind him. "Follow me," said Death. "Your time has come."
"What!" replied the man. "Will you break your word? Did you not promise to send messengers before coming yourself? I have seen none!"
"Silence!" answered Death. "Have I not sent messenger after messenger? Did fever not smite and shake you? Did dizziness not bewilder your head? Did gout not twitch your limbs? Did your ears not ring? Did toothache not bite your cheeks? Was it not dark before your eyes? And has not my brother Sleep reminded you of me every night? Did you not lie at night as if already dead?"
The man could not answer. He yielded to his fate and went away with Death.