Character Index | Proverb Index
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| Character Index | Proverb Index |
Eliot/Jacobs Version
An Old Man, 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. Death come and take me!" As he spoke, Death appeared and said to him: "What do you want Old Man? I heard you call me." "Please, sir," replied the Old Man, "would you kindly help me lift this load of sticks on to my shoulder?"
Townsend version
An old man was employed in cutting wood in the forest, and, in carrying the faggots to the city for sale one day, became very wearied with his long journey. He sat down by the wayside, and throwing down his load, besought "Death" to come. "Death" immediately appeared in answer to his summons and asked for what reason he had called him. The Old Man hurriedly replied, "That, lifting up the load, you may place it again upon my shoulders."
L'Estrange version
An old man that had travell'd a great way under a huge burden of sticks, found himself so weary, that he cast it down, and call'd upon Death to deliver him from a more miserable life. Death came presently at his call, and asked him his bus'ness. Pray good sir, says he, do me but the favour to help me up with my burden again.
Moral
Men call upon death, as they do upon the devil: when he comes they're affraid of him.
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Tom Simondi, All Rights Reserved