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? 　　譯文 　　老人與死神 　　有個老人在森林中砍了不少柴，十分吃力地挑著走了很遠的路。 　　一路上他累極了，實在挑不動了，便扔下柴擔，叫喊起來：這種日子我受不了了，死神啊，帶我走吧。 　　這時，死神來了，對他說：老頭，你想做什么，我聽見你叫我? 　　先生，老人說，您能幫忙將那擔子放在我的肩上嗎? 　　寓意 　　即使生活不幸，人們仍需愛惜生命。