One old man often swore in the name of Death. She found out about this and one day met him, taking on the image of a man and pretending to be a fellow traveler. Soon the old man, in a conversation, as always, swore on her name.
- Why do you honor her so much? What did she do for you? - asked a fellow traveler.
The old man replied:
- No one has been able to defeat Death. No one can escape it. We are all in her power. This is why I respect death and swear on its name.
- Death is me! - said the fellow traveler. - Now I believe that you sincerely honor me. For this I want to give you magical powers. Of all mortals, you alone will see me with your own eyes. Proclaim yourself a doctor and visit the sick. If you see me at the feet of a sick person, then boldly say that you will cure him. This patient will not die. If you see me at the bedside, then know that the patient’s days are numbered, do not undertake to treat him.
The old man declared himself a doctor and he began to treat the sick. When he undertook to treat, the patient certainly recovered. The fame of the doctor spread. People came for him from the most distant villages.
One day the old man himself fell ill and went to bed. Suddenly he saw Death at his head. What was he supposed to do? How to get rid of a dangerous guest? He decided to compete with her by cunning and lay down so that Death was at his feet. He was delighted, but death again stood at the head of his head.
He lay down again, turning his legs towards Death.
- Why are you fidgeting? - said Death. “Since I came for you, it means you’re finished.”
“Dear death,” the old man begged. “Wait a little, I didn’t have time to buy a funeral candle.” I'll get it and then you can pick me up.
“Let it be as you wish,” Death agreed.
“Swear that you won’t take me away until I get the candle,” the old man asked.
Death swore that he would not touch him until he got the candle. Then the old man shouted joyfully:
- I swear I will never buy a candle!
Death realized that she had made a mistake, but it was too late. She didn’t dare break her oath and left with nothing.
And the old man began to live and live again, and since then he has not been afraid of Death.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru