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