The Peasant in Heaven

by The Brothers Grimm

　　

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Once on a time a poor pious peasant died, and arrived before the gate ofheaven. At the same time a very rich, rich lord came there who also wantedto get into heaven. Then Saint Peter came with the key, and opened thedoor, 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 greatman was received in heaven with all kinds of rejoicing, and how theywere making music, and singing within. At length all became quiet again,and Saint Peter came and opened the gate of heaven, and let the peasantin. The peasant, however, expected that they would make music and singwhen he went in also, but all remained quite quiet; he was received withgreat affection, it is true, and the angels came to meet him, but no onesang. Then the peasant asked Saint Peter how it was that they did notsing for him as they had done when the rich man went in, and said thatit seemed to him that there in heaven things were done with just as muchpartiality as on earth. Then said Saint Peter, "By no means, thou art justas dear to us as any one else, and wilt enjoy every heavenly delight thatthe rich man enjoys, but poor fellows like thee come to heaven every day,but a rich man like this does not come more than once in a hundred years!"

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