《天堂里的農(nóng)夫》正文
從前,一個生活貧窮、心地虔誠的農(nóng)夫死了,來到了天堂的門前。同時來的還有一位生前富甲一方的大財主,他也想進(jìn)天堂。
圣彼得拎著鑰匙來了,他打開了大門讓進(jìn)了財主,似乎沒有看見農(nóng)夫,就把門隨手關(guān)上了。這時外面的農(nóng)夫聽到了財主如何受到各種各樣的禮遇和接待,那兒既有奏樂,又有歌唱,最后一切又歸于平靜了。
圣彼得又來了,打開了門,讓農(nóng)夫進(jìn)去了。農(nóng)夫原想他進(jìn)去后也會有奏樂和歌唱,可里面竟是靜悄悄的一片。不過他還是受到了很熱情的接待,天使們走來歡迎他,只是沒有誰來唱歌。于是農(nóng)夫問圣彼得為什么財主來給他唱歌,而他來卻不一樣,好像天堂和人間一樣,也存在著偏心。
圣彼得回答說:“根本不是這回事,你和任何別的人一樣對我們來說都很可愛,也一定會和那富人一樣享受天堂里每一樂趣,但是像你這樣的窮人每天都有人來到天堂,而像這樣的富人一百年內(nèi)進(jìn)天堂的卻只有一個呢!”
《天堂里的農(nóng)夫》英文版
Once upon a time, a devout farmer who lived in poverty died and came to the door of heaven. At the same time, there was a rich man who wanted to go to heaven.
St. Peter came with the key. He opened the door and let the rich man in. He didn't seem to see the farmer, so he closed the door. At this time, the farmer outside heard how the rich man received all kinds of courtesy and reception. There were both music and singing. Finally, everything was calm again.
St. Peter came again, opened the door and let the farmer in. The farmer thought he would play music and sing when he went in, but it was quiet inside. However, he was warmly received. The angels came to welcome him, but no one came to sing. So the farmer asked St. Peter why the rich man came to sing to him, but he came differently. It was like heaven and earth, there was also bias.
St. Peter replied, "that's not the case at all. You are as lovely to us as anyone else, and you will enjoy every pleasure in heaven as the rich man. But a poor man like you comes to heaven every day, and only one rich man like you goes to heaven in a hundred years!"