FABLE LXXIX
by Unknown · from Favourite Fables in Prose and Verse
Adapted Version
Once there was an old man. He worked very hard every day.
The Old Man went to the wood. He was very old. He found many dry sticks. He picked up the sticks. He worked for a long time. He put them in a pile.
The sticks made a big bundle. It was very heavy. The Old Man tied it up. He put it on his back. He started to walk home. He walked very slowly. Each step was hard.
The way home was long. The bundle was too heavy. The Old Man was very tired. He could not walk anymore. He fell down to the ground. His big stick bundle fell. It made a loud noise. He felt very, very weak.
He sat on the ground. He was so tired. He wanted the hard work to stop. He wanted a long, long rest. He called out loud. "Oh, I need rest!" he said. "Please, let it end." He closed his eyes.
Then, a Tall Shadow came. It stood very still. It was very quiet. The Tall Shadow was very tall. It looked at the Old Man. It asked one simple thing. "What do you want?" it asked. Its voice was calm.
The Old Man saw the Tall Shadow. He was very surprised. He felt a little scared. He did not think it would come. He did not want to go. He thought very fast. He must say something else. He opened his mouth.
The Old Man pointed to his sticks. They lay on the ground. "Oh, Tall Shadow!" he said. "My sticks fell down." He spoke very quickly. "Can you help me now?" he asked. "My sticks need help." He spoke fast. "That is all I need."
"Thank you for coming," he said. "You can go now." He wanted Shadow gone. He picked up his heavy sticks. They were still very heavy. But he liked his heavy sticks. He liked them more than the Shadow. He walked home, slowly, slowly.
Original Story
FABLE LXXIX.
THE OLD MAN AND DEATH.
A poor, feeble old Man, who had crawled out into a neighbouring wood to gather a few sticks, had made up his bundle, and, laying it over his shoulders, was trudging homeward with it; but what with age, and the length of the way, and the weight of his burden, he grew so faint and weak that he sunk under it, and, as he sat on the ground, called upon Death to come and ease him of his troubles. Death no sooner heard him than he came and demanded of him what he wanted. The poor old creature, who little thought Death had been so near, and frightened almost out of his senses with his terrible aspect, answered him, trembling, That, having by chance let his bundle of sticks fall, and being too infirm to get it up himself, he had made bold to call upon him to help him; that, indeed, this was all he wanted at present, and that he hoped his worship was not offended with him for the liberty he had taken in so doing.
MORAL.
Men lightly speak of Death when they think he is far away; but let him appear near, and the very sense of his approach almost drives the life away. Men then resume the burden of cares which they had thrown down as insupportable, being content to bear the ills they have than fly to others that they know not of.
Story DNA
Moral
Men often speak lightly of death when it seems distant, but when confronted with its reality, they prefer the known burdens of life to the unknown terrors of the afterlife.
Plot Summary
A frail old man, exhausted from gathering sticks, collapses and calls upon Death to relieve him of his suffering. Death immediately appears, asking what he desires. Terrified by Death's presence, the old man quickly changes his tune, claiming he only needed help picking up his fallen bundle of sticks, thus choosing his known burdens over the unknown of death.
Themes
Emotional Arc
despair to terror to reluctant acceptance
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Fables often served as moral instruction, particularly in pre-industrial societies where life was often harsh and short.
Plot Beats (8)
- A poor, old man gathers sticks in a wood.
- He bundles the sticks and begins his journey home.
- Due to age, distance, and the weight of his burden, he collapses.
- In his despair, he calls out for Death to ease his troubles.
- Death appears instantly and asks what he wants.
- Terrified by Death's appearance, the old man quickly changes his mind.
- He invents an excuse, claiming he only needed help picking up his fallen bundle of sticks.
- He assures Death he is not offended and hopes Death is not offended by his 'liberty'.
Characters
The Old Man
A very frail and stooped man, likely of average height but appearing shorter due to his hunched posture. His body is thin and bony, showing the effects of a lifetime of hard labor and poor sustenance. His movements are slow and deliberate, indicative of extreme weakness.
Attire: Simple, worn peasant clothing typical of 18th-century Europe: a coarse, patched linen or wool tunic, likely in muted earth tones like grey or brown, possibly a pair of equally worn breeches or trousers, and simple, scuffed leather shoes or wooden clogs. His clothes are functional but show signs of extensive mending and wear.
Wants: To survive and ease his immediate suffering. Initially, he wishes for an end to his troubles, but when confronted by Death, his primary motivation shifts to avoiding his demise.
Flaw: His extreme physical frailty and his tendency to despair under hardship. His fear of the unknown (Death) also makes him vulnerable.
He begins in despair, wishing for death, but upon Death's arrival, he experiences a profound shift, realizing he prefers his current suffering to the finality of death. He learns to value his life, however difficult.
Feeble, desperate, fearful, pragmatic, resilient (in his will to live). He is initially overwhelmed by his suffering but quickly becomes terrified and resourceful when faced with true danger.
Death
A terrifying and imposing figure, likely tall and gaunt, radiating an aura of cold finality. Its form is not explicitly described but is implied to be visually shocking and fear-inducing.
Attire: A long, dark, flowing cloak or shroud, perhaps in black or deep grey, that conceals its form and adds to its ominous presence. The fabric would appear heavy and light-absorbing, without any adornment.
Wants: To fulfill its role as the bringer of the end, responding to those who summon it.
Flaw: None explicitly stated; it is an unstoppable force.
Death does not change; it serves as a catalyst for the Old Man's realization.
Impassive, literal, powerful, indifferent. It responds directly to the Old Man's call without malice, simply fulfilling its function.
Locations
Neighboring Wood
A dense, ancient forest adjacent to the old man's home, where he forages for firewood. The ground is likely uneven and covered with fallen leaves and twigs.
Mood: Initially mundane and laborious, becoming desolate and desperate.
The old man gathers sticks, collapses from exhaustion, and calls out for Death.