was Always Thirteen
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And his father and mother, and all the people of his village, alike forgot that there could be any end to this happiness. But the King of Death did not forget. "No older than his thirteenth year," had said Shiva, the great god. And Kamil, the perfect boy, was in his thirteenth year.
So, on his birthday, the King of Death sent his messengers, to bring Kamil away to the Kingdom of Death. "It is only another kind of life," said the messengers; "do not be afraid, come with us. The King himself is waiting to receive you."
But the boy said: "Why should I come? I want no other kind of life. This life I love. Why should I come? I will not come with you."
"No one has ever disobeyed the King of Death," said the messengers. "Come, you must."
