The appointment in Samarra

The appointment in Samarra

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Title page

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There was once a merchant in Bagdad who sent his servant to the market to buy provisions.

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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.'

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‘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.’

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‘I will go to Samarra, and there, Death will not find me.’

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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.

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The merchant came down to the marketplace and saw me standing in the crowd. He came to me and said…

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‘Why did you make a threating gesture to my servant when you saw him this morning?’

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‘That was not a threatening gesture,’ I said.

‘It was only a start of surprise.’

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‘I was astonished to see your servant in Bagdad, for I have an appointment with him tonight in Samarra.’

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The end. Or is it?

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Death was surprised that the servant was not in Samarra and realized that her appointment was now in England.

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The servant grew weary. How long can I escape my fate? I will have to go where Death cannot find me.

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The servant pleaded with Death. ‘What can I do to escape my fate? I will do anything, but please don’t take my soul.’

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‘Agree to be my servant, and I will spare your life.’ The servant accepted his new fate.

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What colour horse did the merchant own?

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How many times did Death appear in the book?

Do you remember?

Why was the servant afraid?

Answers on page page 29

Was the merchant a good master to his servant. Why?

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Use this page to write your ending.

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Answers

What colour horse did the merchant own?

Why was the servant afraid?

A brown horse

He knows that Death is coming for him.

How many times did Death appear in the book?

Was the merchant a good master to his servant. Why?

7 times

Yes, because he lends the servant his horse to escape Death.

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