In Old Damascus there was a servant named Rashid who had faithfully served his employer since before just about anyone in that storied city could remember.

   In Old Damascus there was a servant named Rashid who had faithfully served his employer since before just about anyone in that storied city could remember. One day, in the mounting heat of a May morning, he returned early from his daily rounds in the Great Bazaar, stumbling into the kitchen of the palatial house in a state that bordered on hysteria. His employer, Prince Hakim, was as famous for his kindness as for his great wealth, and was greatly disturbed to see his trusted assistant so upset. After drinking deeply from the goblet of pomegranate juice that Master Hakim had placed in his servant’s trembling hands, Rashid made a concerted effort tried to calm himself down so that he could explain what had just happened:

 “I was in the marketplace this morning inspecting a bin full of freshly picked melons when someone bumped      into me from behind and made me spill all  that I had purchased for tonight’s menu. When I turned around to see who it was, who did I see but the Angel of Death himself staring me right in the face. I was scared out of my mind and ran straight home. I don’t know what to do, Great Sir: for I have just seen Death himself.” Esteemed far and wide for his practical wisdom, Master wasted no time in setting a plan in motion to save his beloved servant from the clutches of the Evil One – even if it meant depriving himself of Rashid’s good and faithful offices forever. He summoned Akbar, another senior house servant, and bade him go straightaway to the caravansary depot and reserve a place for his hapless head servant on the week-long caravan leaving that same day for the ancient city of Aleppo.

 Now Master Hakim was a man of honor who was blessed with the heart of a lion— especially if the life of a faithful steward was in danger. Seeing him clap his hands for litter and bearers, Rashid knew that even one as powerful as Death’s stern reaper was in for it now! Upon arriving in the marketplace, the noble Hakim looked long and hard for the offending party. At long last, and with the help of his bearers, he found the dark angel engaged in what seemed to be a pleasant conversation with a kindly old potter in the artisans’ section of the bazaar. Without introduction or preamble, the merchant drew himself up to his full height and angrily demanded of Death an explanation for that morning’s  actions.

 Let it be said here that Death—contrary to popular belief—is no ruffian.To the contrary, his reaction to Hakim’s confrontation was, as always, that of a gentleman, as was demonstrated by his response to the good Master’s ultimatum:

      “Ah, I am most glad to see thee, Great Sheik; for I have wanted to extend my apologies to thee ever since this morning’s unfortunate incident. The fact of the matter is, I had no intention of so cruelly disturbing thy faithful servant earlier today. It was just that I was so surprised to see him still here in Damascus that I lost my concentration and literally walked right into him. For you see, most exalted Master… in a week’s time he and I have an appointment in Aleppo!”

 Based on the forward to John O’Hara’s “Appointment in Samara”