Subject: one better
From: Scottie Bowman (rbowman@indigo.ie)
Date: Wed Apr 12 2000 - 15:35:12 EDT
For the benefit of that small handful of people
who may not have heard it, here in 230 words,
is the greatest short story ever told - in any language.
___________________________________
A wealthy merchant of Baghdad was disturbed
at breakfast by his favourite servant. The man stumbled
into the room, white faced & trembling.
'My lord,' he gasped. 'You must lend me your
fastest horse. I cannot stay in this town another hour.
Just now in the bazaar I was confronted by Death.
Fearful Death himself. He was searching for someone
& I realised who his quarry was in that moment when
his eyes met mine. They suddenly glowed with the most
terrible, smiling malice & he shook his fist. Like this.'
The merchant was much distressed for this man whom
he loved.
'Take this purse,' he said. 'Then go to the stables
& tell the grooms to give you my swiftest horse. Samarra
is a full day's ride - a great city where no one will find you.'
The servant stuttered his thanks & hurried away.
Later in the morning the merchant himself went down
to the bazaar. Sure enough, there he was - unmistakably -
Death. The merchant walked up to him.
'How dare you,' he said, 'frighten off my servant
like that? A good man who has done nothing to deserve
your threats.'
'Those were no threats,' said Death. 'Though I admit
I threw up my hand in astonishment. I was amazed, truly amazed,
to find him here in Baghdad. When I have an appointment
with him tonight in Samarra.'
Scottie B.
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