K. N. Parker

A death has come for miss Tabitha Wilkinson. Not THE death, but one of his emissaries a small with a mask covering its tiny face. The death is suprised that the girl is not more alarmed or even scared of her as people usually are when she informs them of their imminent demise.

Tabitha shrugs it off stating that she cant change her fate so why worry? And continues to asks the death a lot of questions about its profession and the afterlife.The death answers them all and then starts to leave when the girl asks her final question-

How did you die? What is your story?” Tabitha asked once again.

“I… I…” This seemed to cause the figure some distress of her own. She thought and thought but could not for the life of her, or death of her rather, conjure an answer. “I do not have a story. I cannot remember,” she finally said, and Tabitha grew sad once more. “I really must be going, Miss Wilkinson.”

“Before your next visit, guide…” Tabitha started before the figure had a chance to move “… I want you to find out how you died and how you came to be in this position, and I also want you to find out your real name. And then I want you to tell me your findings when you return.
Can you do that for me, guide?”
The little death for some reason she doesnt understand agrees to try but no matter how she tries cant recall her name or even what caused her to die so she goes to ask someone who will know.
Death himself.

I picked up this free from Kindle on the offchance that it would turn out ok but I really didnt expect much from it and found myself pleasantly suprised that it was a little gem.

If you only judged "The death of Death" on its title you would assume that it was a grotesque and morbid story but instead it turned out to be a beautiful little story that has its fair share of gentle humor to lighten up things. Its more than a little bit sad and tragic but the ending was just perfect.
I had an inkling about who the little death was but still it didnt diminish the story.

Go ahead and pick it this for free its such a little story after.
… (més)