There was once a merchant
in the famous market of Baghdad.
One day he saw a stranger looking
at him in surprise, and he knew
that the stranger was Death.
Pale and trembling, the merchant
fled the marketplace and made
his way many, many miles to
the city of Samara, for there he
was sure Death could not find him.
But when at last he came
to Samara, the merchant saw
waiting for him the grim figure
of Death.
“Very well,” said the merchant.
“I give in. I am yours. But tell me,
why did you look surprised when
you saw me this morning
in Baghdad?”
“Because,” said Death,
“I had an appointment with you
tonight in Samara.”

