Karthikeyan's dream

Karthikeyan was a middle aged person, timid, God fearing and superstitious by nature. He would read daily the astrological predictions in the news papers and magazines for his zodiac sign. He wore several rings in his fingers with different gem stones to ward off the evil effects of planets. A regular visitor to the temple, he would do pradakshinams (walk around clockwise) of the navagrihas nine times. There was a black dog in a neighbour’s house in the big housing complex where he lived. This dog would normally be quiet for days but on occasions start howling for two or three days continuously. It so happened that every time the dog started howling, there was a death within a few days in some house in the complex or adjacent buildings.Karthikeyan noticed this happening with never failing regularity. As a result whenever the dog started whining which it did invariably after dusk and during nights, Karthikeyan would become uneasy wondering who the next victim could be. He would discreetly inquire about any ill health of the neighbours in the colony and would confide to his wife of his apprehensions if he hears someone is seriously sick. He had complained several times in vain to the owner of the dog about its howling in the nights and the loss of his sleep. He even toyed with the idea of selling off his flat and moving out of the area. But real estate prices were forbiddingly high that he had to put up with this nightmare.
One late evening he was returning by walk thro the road adjacent to the burial ground. It was a desolate road and people avoided that road unless very necessary. There was a slight drizzle and it was getting dark.Karthikeyan saw a tall, dark and burly figure approaching him from the opposite direction. There was none else in the road. He naturally became nervous and moved to the other side of the road. He found the black figure also moving to the other side.Karthikeyan started praying to God and reciting several slokas.When the figure came very close to him, he fell down on the ground with his heart rapidly pounding, body drenched with profuse perspiration and his vision blurred. The figure knelt down by and asked him in a booming voice” Dear Son, is anything wrong with you? Do you need any help? “He could not make out the face but muttered ”I am feeling giddy? I should be okay soon”
When the figure did not move but stood by his side, he mustered enough courage to ask” Thank you very much, Sir May I know who you are?” When there was no response, he repeated the question asking whether the figure had not heard him. The figure replied “Do not be afraid ,my son, I am the God of Death” On hearing this there was goose bumps all over his body and he was rendered speechless. The figure spoke to him in kind voice telling him there was no cause for fear for him. Emboldened Karthikeyan narrated his experience of coming across deaths each time after the whining of the dog and sought to know what could be relation between death and dog’s crying. The God of Death told him that dogs have the vision to see the Messengers of Death prowling about in the vicinity of the person about to die. Karthikeyan then mentioned about his uneasiness every time the dog whined and the sleepless nights he underwent. He prayed to God whether he can know which person would be dying so that he can be peaceful adding that he would keep the information to himself. The God of Death declined to help him and when he persisted with his request, He took pity on him. Before disappearing he said “I cannot divulge the information directly. But in your dream in the night when the dog cries, you will know which neighbour would be popping off. But never forewarn the individual or his kith and kin.”
In the succeeding months whenever the dog whined, Karthikeyan got his answer in the dream. On his part he kept the promise by not uttering to anyone. He was no longer afraid of the dog’s premonition and could sleep peacefully till one day a few months thereafter. The dog started howling continuously in annoying tone for two days. When the promised dream never occurred Karthikeyan grew tense and started wondering who would be the likely person. He went to sleep that night praying to the God of Death and reminding Him about his failed boon. The next morning his wife tried to wake him up nudging his lifeless body.