Fables

There is an ancient tale of an incredibly devout man, so gentle and sincere in his ways, who faced God's plight on his deathbed. For the lasts of his life he yearned a drink from the fountain of his wish, and traipsed through the desert to find the water spring. Mustering the lasts of his energy, he crawled across the sand and put his lips near the water. So close was he to his goal, but closer was he to death that he fell and was never granted his wish.

Another man, whose heart was riddled with ill will and bad deeds, was trapped in his luxurious bed for his last hours, so terrible was the disease that plagued him. Knowing the end to come soon he shouted to his slave and bid for his favourite fruit as a final meal. The slave, a girl of good and clever mind, came back to give him the delicious fruit. The man died satisfied and happy indulging in its wonderful juices and flesh.

It is said that what little evil the first man did in his life in this world, was punished in his last seconds by not granting him water. He was placed in heaven with his slate clean and punishments done. For the second man, what little good he made in his time, was rewarded by the seconds of grace and sweetness that met him at his end. He entered purgatory with a clean slate, ready to pay his penance. For in the end, every deed must be paid and balanced.

There isn't much to else say except it is a story that has stuck with me for the longest time.