The Old Man and Death
An old man that had traveled a long way with a huge bundle of sticks, found himself so weary that he cast it down and called upon Death to deliver him from his most miserable existence. Death came straightway at his call and asked him what he wanted. "Pray, good sir," says he, "does me but the favor to help me up with my burden again."
It is one thing to call for Death and another to see him coming.