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　　The old man and Death

　　An old man was gathering sticks in a forest.

　　At last he grew very tired and hopeless. He threw down all the sticks and cried out, "I cannot bear this life any longer. Ah, I wish Death would come and take me!"

　　As he spoke, Death appeared, and said to him, "What would you do, old man? I heard you call me."

　　"Please, sir," replied the old man, "would you help me lift this bundle of sticks up to my shoulder?"