The appointment in Samarra
Title page
There was once a merchant in Bagdad who sent his servant to the market to buy provisions .
In a while, the servant came back, white and trembling, and said, ' Master, just now, when I was in the marketplace, I was jostled by a woman in the crowd, and when I turned, I saw it was Death that jostled me.
She looked at me and made a threatening gesture. Now , lend me your horse, and I will ride away from this city and avoid my fate.
‘ I will go to Samarra, and there, Death will not find me. ’
The merchant lent him his horse, and the servant mounted it. He dug his spurs into its flanks, and as fast as the horse could gallop, he went.
The merchant came down to the marketplace and saw me standing in the crowd. He came to me and said…
Why did you make a threating gesture to my servant when you saw him this morning? ’
‘ That was not a threatening gesture, ’ I said.
‘ It was only a start of surprise. ’
‘
I was astonished to see your servant in Bagdad, for I have an appointment with him tonight in Samarra. ’
The end. Or is it?
Death was surprised that the servant was not in Samarra and realized that her appointment was now in England.
The servant grew weary. How long can I escape my fate? I will have to go where Death cannot find me.
The servant pleaded with Death. ‘ What can I do to escape my fate? I will do anything, but please don ’ t take my soul. ’
Agree to be my servant, and I will spare your life. ’ The servant accepted his new fate.
What colour horse did the merchant own?
How many times did Death appear in the book?
Do you remember?
Was the merchant a good master to his servant. Why?
Why was the servant afraid?
Use this page to write your ending.
What colour horse did the merchant own?
A brown horse
How many times did Death appear in the book?
7 times
Why was the servant afraid?
He knows that Death is coming for him.
Was the merchant a good master to his servant. Why?
Yes, because he lends the servant his horse to escape Deat h.
