The Peasant in Heaven

A poor, good-hearted peasant once died and came to the gate of heaven. At the very same time, a very, very rich lord arrived and also wanted to enter heaven. Then Saint Peter came with the key, opened the gate, and let the great man in.

He did not seem to notice the peasant, and shut the gate again. Now the peasant stood outside and heard how the great man was received in heaven with great joy. There was music and singing inside.

At last everything grew quiet, and Saint Peter came and opened the gate of heaven and let the peasant in. The peasant had expected that they would make music and sing for him too, but all remained perfectly still.

He was welcomed with great kindness, it is true, and the angels came to meet him, but no one sang. So the peasant asked Saint Peter why they had not sung for him as they had when the rich man entered.

He said it seemed to him that things were done with as much favoritism in heaven as on earth. Then Saint Peter said, "By no means. You are just as dear to us as anyone else, and you will enjoy all the heavenly delights that the rich man enjoys.

But poor people like you come to heaven every day, while a rich man like this one comes only once in a hundred years!"