We travelled a long way to come to a land where there is no death. Now that we are here, I understand why there are not great numbers of people in the land. From time to time people will hear a voice calling them. They can’t resist leaping up and shouting, “I’m coming! I’m coming!” They run out to follow the call, and they are never seen again.

I decided that if I ever heard the call, I would not run after it. Nor would I wouldn’t allow my wife or children to answer it, Then one night, when we were having dinner, my wife sprang up suddenly and shouted, “I’m coming! I’m coming!” She ran round the room looking for her fur coat. I insisted she stay, but she said, “I will just go and see why I’m wanted. I’ll be back soon.”

“No,” I said. I bolted the doors, and I refused to allow her to leave the house.

She gave in. She sat down. She said she was over the mad impulse. We all heaved a sigh of relief. Then she made a sudden dash for the door, and bolted out.

Woman Who Hears the Call of Death, The Voice of Death, Red Fairy Book. Illustration by H.J. Ford.