About the Lord of Death

I've walked the earth since the dawn of time. Only time is older than me. I don't know how I was born. I know one thing for sure: I am the master of death. I have no friends. No one knows me. Whoever I touch dies. The moment I take off my glove and touch someone's body, even through their clothes, they die. I've seen all the wars and revolutions. I've participated in them all. I walk now along this crowded shopping mall avenue. Every now and then, I mark someone with my touch. Within a few human hours, they die. Why? Why was I given the power to bring misfortune? I wish, at least once, to bring someone happiness. My hopelessness wanders the world. Even if I say someone's name, they immediately die. Walking through the city streets, I wandered into an old warehouse and climbed onto the roof. The sunset is beautiful here. But this beautiful sun also dies. Like everything beautiful that I touch.

"Why do you cry, Lord Death?" When I turned my gaze toward the voice, I saw him. There, standing before me, was the Lord of Life. Born two seconds after me. I saw him once. Then our paths diverged.

"And why are you laughing, Lord of Life? For years you've been giving people happiness. You give them life. I take it away from them. Like my victims, I'll never know happiness.

" "And yet, Lord of Death, I have a proposition for you. Since the dawn of time, I've been giving people life. Mine, however, is very empty. I know nothing beyond this gift. It's already tiring for me. I want to exchange powers with you for a human week. During that time, you will give people life, and I will give people death. Your dream will come true, giving people happiness. Mine will come true too. I will experience the fullness of death.

" "I accept your proposition. Next week, at this time, we will automatically return to our own powers.

" ***

A week will pass. During this week, I've given people so much happiness that I don't know if I'll be able to return to my former profession. The power has already returned to me. The park was always empty at night. And then I heard someone crying softly. I saw a boy. I hadn't paid such attention until now, but this week changed me.

"Why are you crying, you wretch?" I asked him. I knew it was because of me. That death had forced him to cry.

"I'm deathly ill. I don't know when I'll die... but I've already reconciled myself to my fate. It doesn't scare me. I only want to die happy. To die in the arms of the one I love this morning. It will ease my suffering.

" "And if that happens, will you be happy?"

"Oh, stranger, I'll be the happiest person in the world.

" "But why?"

"Everyone dies someday. But to die in an accident or by suicide is a tragedy. To die in the depths of happiness. At a moment when even death cannot spoil a person's happiness, that is the pinnacle of happiness. To fall asleep in the arms of my beloved and no longer suffer illness." The unfortunate man spoke with tears in his eyes. I didn't fully understand it. But I decided to fulfill his dream. A few hours before dawn, his beloved arrived. Embraced, they sat on a bench and cried. They cried with happiness at being together and with his pain. Slowly sneaking past, I touched the boy. He died at dawn. I stood there and watched his soul, full of happiness, depart for eternity.

"And why are you crying now, Lord Death?" I heard the voice of Lord Life behind me.

"Because for the first time, my power has given someone joy.

" "Not for the first time. You have given relief to many who suffer. The truth is, your power brings mainly happiness. But some desire it. That boy died happy." And if everyone died like that, you wouldn't be terrible. Everyone dies someday. Some call upon you. Others avoid you and prolong their lives. Yet you will leave no one behind. The only question is when will you come? I have learned much from learning the secrets of your art. None of us underestimates what we have. Go now, Lord of Death. Go to the people. To those who fear you and those who await you. Give them the pain they need to live, just as I needed it, but also give them the solace you needed. No life is complete without death, just as no joy is complete without sadness.