A very long
time ago in a faraway country there lived a benevolent king who surrounded
himself with servants of the highest caliber. And one particular servant, his
name was Jabez, did one thing on a daily basis and did it well. He had been
delegated from a boy to purchase the choicest foods from the local market, and
return said culinary resources to the head chef.
And thus, on
such and such a day Jabez set off for a nearby town. And thus, as he was
putting a pomegranate into his basket, he looked up and found himself peering
into the dread face of
…Death!
Without so
much as a word Jabez dropped the almost full basket, and ran as fast as his
legs could carry him back to the palace. Upon arriving he reported immediately
to the king.
“Well,
Jabez. You’re quick to return to the palace. Have you already completed your
purchases?”
To which his
good servant exclaimed,
“Oh King.
Please, you must help me. While I was in the marketplace I came face to face
with Death, himself. You simply must allow me to borrow your horse and escape
to the city of Samarra.”
And without
the slightest hesitation, the king made arrangements for Jabez to borrow his
horse.
Having taken
care of the matter, King Aliphaz summoned his best soldiers, and ordered them
to escort him to town; for he would get to the bottom of this apparent affront
against his servant.
Arriving in
town, the king began looking for that vile creature called Death. And having
found him, he challenged him.
“Oh Death,
my servant was shopping in the marketplace, and claimed that you threatened
him.
To which
Death replied,
“Oh no, dear
King. I did not threaten your servant. I was just surprised to see him. For you
see, I have an appointment with him tonight
…in the city
of Samarra.
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