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The Angel of Death

A miserable peddler carries his burden of sticks through the forest. He walks alone.  Despondent with the load he carries and cursing his burden, a fierce wind winds blows his sticks off his back and onto the ground.  "Ribbono shel Olam," he cries, "Master of the Universe!  Who needs such life?  Send the malakh hamavet, the angel of death, to let my misery come to an end."

With that a flash of light reveals the angel of death menacingly standing in front of the man.  "You called?"  he asks the peddler.

"Yes, yes," the startled peddler stammers.  "Could you help me pick up my sticks?"

-Harold Shulweis

Remember this tale.  Life is often difficult bit it is better than the alternative.


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