A Death Wish

19/02/2012
Fr. Jose Kaimlett

A Death Wish

An old man was out in the woods, as usual, gathering firewood for the winter. One day, in a very sour mood, he was doddering along under the heavy weight. In despair he let the load drop to the ground and took time out for a breath of fresh air. “If only death would come,” he sighed. “On this earth I have had nothing but trouble and poverty to bear.”

As though his words had some magical power, in a twinkling, ‘Death’ stood in front of him. “What do you want of me,” he asked.

Just one look at him, the old man with trembling voice replied, “Only that you help me to get my burden back on my shoulders again.”

…………

Let alone all the complaints and grumblings, life in any condition, it would seem, is preferred to death. Man would put up with almost anything to avoid it. Is it because of the love for life or is it because of the fear of death?

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