What is the Immortal Sin?
The Riddle that Stumped Death
Once, a long time ago ins a village with no name, there lived a boy who claimed to be the most clever. One day Death came to his village as the boy's time had come. But upon hearing the boy's boasts, Death proposed a bet; if the boy could come up with a riddle that Death himself could not answer he would let the boy live, if not, the boy's life was his.
The boy agreed and after some thought he came up with a riddle:
"What is the immoral sin?"
Death was surprised and perplexed but after a quick mull over he answered,
"Interference, for God may not touch his creations."
"Wrong." the boy said.
Annoyed but poised, Death accepted his end of the bet... for the time being.
"The question remains," he chuckled "and I will be back."
10 years later Death returned to the boy who now was a young man, confident in his new answer. Surprised by Death's visit but confident in his riddle, the young man asked again:
"What is the immortal sin?"
"Indifference," Death began, "because God must love all of his creations."
"Incorrect." the young man replied.
Death was again annoyed but determined to obtain his prize.
"I will be back." Death smiled and took his leave.
Another 20 years pass and Death returned to the man who now has a wife and children. The man proposed the question again:
"What is the immortal sin?"
Death replied, "Intellect, because God must not know your fates."
"Wrong again."
Death, disheartened but staunch to his word, left the man again, allowing him to live.
40 more years pass and Death returned to the man who was now old and gray.
Humbled by the riddle, Death spoke,
"You truly are the most clever. You may keep your life and become immortal."
The man raised his hand and said, "Thank you for the title but my life is yours. I am tired and it is quite my time."
Death smiled and so did the man and, as old friends, they embraced.
About the Creator
Keep reading
More stories from John Simeoni and writers in Fiction and other communities.
Devileers
What are Devileers you may ask? Devileers, in the most basic terms, are monster hunters. More over, they deal with beasts, magics, and other arcane nuisances that may present a blight on mankind. In the earlier years of the continent, groups of religious foreigners and protectors of kings had formed guilds that, although dissimilar in purpose, had similar function. These two major groups were the Collegiate of the Angels (religious acolytes) and the knights errant.
By John Simeoni3 years ago in Fiction
One Unchecked Box
"Republished" because it was the only way to add the embed for the newly recorded audio version of this story due to the Top Story badge. Plus it serves as a nice, informal announcement of the podcast's revival for another season (go subscribe!):
By Stephen A. Roddewig6 days ago in Fiction
The Kolobok Who Learned to Listen
Once upon a time, in a small cottage at the edge of a great forest, there lived an old man and an old woman. One chilly morning, the old woman decided to bake a round bread roll — a kolobok. She gathered flour from the barn, eggs from the hen, sour cream from the cellar, and butter from the pantry. She mixed everything together, shaped it into a perfect golden ball, and placed it in the oven.
By Julia Lemon2 days ago in Fiction
Comments (1)
There is a correct answer by the way! Feel free to answer this one.