老人和死神

Belinda

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.