I believe the theme of the story is that no one can escape death and there is no defying death. This is evident when the doctor says, “If I cheat Death this one time, he will be angry but since I am his grandson, he will turn a blind eye, so I will risk it” (20). The doctor was right with his first thoughts but then he does it again and is whisked away to deaths cavern where Death tells him, “It’s all over for you. Now it’s your turn” (25). Then the doctor’s life is taken. I also think the story is trying to convey the message that everyone must accept the consequences for their actions.