One day, at noon in Baghdad, the Caliph saw his vizier rushing into his apartments.

"Master" he said, trembling with fear, "I must run away as soon as possible! Earlier, at the market, I met death that looked me right in the eye! I have to run as far away as possible.

Lend me a horse and a servant. If I leave now, I can reach Samarkand before nightfall and find refuge there! I promise you, your servant will bring your horse back to you! "Taken with pity, the Caliph granted his minister's wish and he soon galloped towards his salvation. He arrives in Samarkand at nightfall. As soon as he got down to the ground, death laid his hand on his shoulder. "Here, it's you," she said. I doubted my infallibility after meeting you this morning at the Baghdad market, because I had an appointment with you tonight here in Samarkand.

 

Based on a Persian tale by Farîd al-Dîn Attâr (1140-1230)