The Peasant in Heaven
Once upon a time a poor pious peasant died, and
arrived before the gate of heaven. At the same time a very rich, rich lord came there who
also wanted to get into heaven. Then Saint Peter came with the key, and opened the door,
and let the great man in, but apparently did not see the peasant, and shut the door again.
And now the peasant outside heard how the great man was received in heaven with all kinds
of rejoicing, and how they were making music, and singing within. At length all became
quiet again, and Saint Peter came and opened the gate of heaven, and let the peasant in.
The peasant, however, expected that they would make music and sing when he went in also,
but all remained quite quiet. He was received with great affection, it is true, and the
angels came to meet him, but no one sang. Then the peasant asked Saint Peter how it was
that they did not sing for him as they had done when the rich man went in, and said that
it seemed to him that there in heaven things were done with just as much partiality as on
earth. Then said Saint Peter, by no means, you are just as dear to us as anyone else, and
will enjoy every heavenly delight that the rich man enjoys, but poor fellows like you come
to heaven every day, but a rich man like this does not come more than once in a hundred
years.
--The End-- |
