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First
There were once three wicked men who spent their time sitting in taverns, drinking and quarreling. Once when they were so occupied, they heard the clinking of the bell preceding a corpse about to be buried. One of the young men called the servant of the tavern and said, "Go and find out who the dead person is and report his name correctly." -
Second
"Sir, I was already told who he is. He is an old friend and companion of yours. He was slain last night by a private theif whom men call Death." The tavern keeper agreed with the young servant. "Is this Death so terrible to meet? I shall seek him in town and field," said the wicked man. "Listen to me, fellows; let us join hands and vow to kill this traitor Death." he added. So they joined hands to live or die in this adventure and to be true to each other as if they were brothers. -
Third
Along the way, they met an old man and greeted them meekly,"My Lords, God protect you." The proudest roisterers answered the man rudely, "Slave, being so old, why are you still alive?" The old man answered sadly, "I'm still alive because noman who will exchanges places with me. And therefore am I still alive as long as it is God's will. And Death will not take my life." And then the old man bid his goodbye. -
Sixth
As soon as he had left, one said to the other, ''You know that you are like my brother, I have a plan which will bring much profit to us both.'' ''When he returns with the bread and wine, we shall kill him and, my dear friend, we shall divide this gold between us.'' he planned. -
Seventh
On the other hand, the one who had gone to town also begun to think how he could get the gold for himself. He planned to poison his friends so that he could have all the gold. He went to an apothecary and bought some poison, telling the man that his house was full of rats and he wanted to get rid of them. He borrowed two bottles in which he poured the poison. -
Eighth
As the young man drew near, his friends killed him. Then they sat down to drink the wine. Thus ended the story of the three wicked men. -
Fourth
"No, slave, you don't go away so fast. You're a spy of this traitor Death, tell us where he lives." "Now sirs, if you really want to find Death, turn up this narrow path, for in that grove I left him under a tree. For all your boasts, he will not avoid you. See that oak tree? You should find him there unless you mend your ways." The three wicked young men ran to the tree and there they found a treasure of gold coins. They promptly forgot about Death, whom they were seeking. -
Fifth
The worst of the three was the first to speak. "Brothers, listen to me. Fortune has given us this treasure so that we can live the rest of our lives in eating and drinking." ''Now, I suggest that we draw lots and he who gets the shortest lot should go to town and bring us bread and wine while the two of us will stand by and watch this gold.'' he added. Then they drew lots and the shortest lot was drawn by the youngest, who immediately went to town to buy bread and wine.