The old man said, “Don’t speak like that. If you really want to find Death, I can tell you which
way to go. Turn up this little lane. Not long ago I saw him sitting by a tree in that wood. He will
not be afraid of anything that you can do. He is there, by that great tree. You are foolish to think
that you can save men from Death. May God help you to become better men.”
The three young men turned and ran towards the tree he had shown them. There was no one
there. But on the ground they saw a great number of golden coins. They were very pleased
to see all this money. They did not remember that they were trying to find Death.
But Death was very near, and he was thinking about them.
They sat down with all the gold; they put their hands into it and let the gold pieces run
through their fingers. They sat there for some time and did not speak. At last one of them
spoke. He was the young man with the most evil heart.
“Listen to me,” he said. “This money will give us happiness for the rest of our lives! We must
not take it away in daylight because people will think that we’re thieves. One of us will go back to
the town for food and drink. The two others will hide in this wood and watch the money until
night comes.” This plan seemed good to the others. They