Death's Messengers (Grimm)
Division into chapters is editorial.
The giants battle with Death
In ancient times, a giant traveled along a great highway when suddenly an unknown man appeared before him, commanding him to halt. The giant, confident in his enormous strength, scoffed at this small creature who dared block his path. The stranger revealed his identity with authority.
I am Death... No one resists me, and thou also must obey my commands. But the giant refused, and began to struggle with Death. It was a long, violent battle
The giant refused to submit and engaged Death in combat.
Eventually, the giant gained the upper hand and struck Death down with his fist, leaving him collapsed by a stone, too weak to rise again. Death lay there conquered, worrying about the consequences of his defeat.
No one will die in the world, and it will get so full of people that they won't have room to stand beside each other
The young mans compassion and Deaths promise
While Death lay helpless, a young man came along the road, strong and healthy, singing and looking around cheerfully. When he saw the half-fainting figure, he approached with compassion, helped Death to his feet, gave him a strengthening drink from his flask, and waited for him to recover.
As Death recovered, he asked the youth if he knew who he was and whom he had helped. The young man replied that he did not know. Death then revealed his identity and explained that while he spares no one and could make no exception, he was grateful for the assistance. In recognition of this kindness, Death made a promise.
I will not fall on thee unexpectedly, but will send my messengers to thee before I come and take thee away
The youth was pleased with this arrangement, feeling he had gained something valuable - advance warning of Death's approach and safety until that time. He continued on his way feeling lighthearted and enjoyed his life without worry.
A life of illness and recovery
The young man lived carelessly for some time, but his youth and health did not last forever.
But youth and health did not last long, soon came sicknesses and sorrows, which tormented him by day, and took away his rest by night
Various ailments began to plague him, causing suffering during the day and robbing him of sleep at night. Despite his discomfort, the man reassured himself that he would not die, for Death had promised to send messengers first. He consoled himself with this thought during his periods of illness.
Die, I shall not... for Death will send his messengers before that, but I do wish these wretched days of sickness were over
Whenever he recovered from his ailments, he would return to his merry lifestyle, living without care. This pattern of sickness and recovery continued for years. Then one day, someone tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around to find Death standing behind him, announcing that the hour of his departure from the world had come.
The man was shocked and accused Death of breaking his word, protesting that he had seen no messengers as promised.
What... wilt thou break thy word? Didst thou not promise me that thou wouldst send thy messengers to me before coming thyself? I have seen none!
Deaths arrival and the revelation of his messengers
Death commanded silence and began to reveal the truth about his messengers. He explained that he had indeed sent messenger after messenger, but the man had failed to recognize them.
Have I not sent one messenger to thee after another? Did not fever come and smite thee, and shake thee, and cast thee down? Has dizziness not bewildered thy head?
Death continued his litany, asking whether gout had not twisted the man's limbs, whether his ears had not rung, whether toothache had not bitten into his cheeks, and whether darkness had not clouded his vision. Finally, Death mentioned his own brother Sleep, who had reminded the man of death every night, making him lie as if already dead. Faced with this revelation, the man realized the truth.
The man could make no answer; he yielded to his fate, and went away with Death