The Rich Man and the Poor Man in Heaven

Once on a time a poor pious peasant who looked at the world very differently died, and arrived before the gate of heaven. At the same time a very very rich lord died who earned his fortune honestly. Then Saint Peter came with the key and opened the door, and let the great man in, but seemed to act as though he did not see the peasant, and the door in heaven was shut without the poor peasant.

The peasant listened outside the door and heard the great man being received in heaven, he heard them making great music, and could hear them celebrating. He knew his angel would be with him inside, so he sat at the door for Saint Peter to let him in. He heard the heavenly sounds of singing within, a man swimming in a fountain with a fitting tune, and the light footsteps of pairs of angels walking barefoot and arranging themselves inside. He began to think that perhaps he could have done more while he was living, but he knew he had lived a great life on earth. Then all became quiet again, and Saint Peter came and opened the gate of heaven, and let the peasant in.

Now the peasant expected the celebration to continue, but all remained quiet. Yes, he was received with great affection, it is true, and yes, angels came to meet him and they walked barefoot, hand in hand, but he could not hear the great music being sung as it were when the rich lord was received. So the peasant then walked to Saint Peter and asked, “How is it that they did not sing and make music as they had done when the rich man went in? Is he somehow greater than I?”

Then said Saint Peter: “By no means, thou art good, and wilt enjoy every heavenly delight that the rich man enjoys, but poor fellows like thee come to heaven every day, and a rich man like this does not come more than once in a hundred years!”