WILL IT BE HEAVEN OR HELL?
While walking down the street one
day a US senator is tragically hit by a truck and dies.
His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at
the entrance.
"Welcome to heaven," says St. Peter. "Before you settle
in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high
official around these parts, you see, so we're not sure
what to do with you."
"No problem, just let me in," says the man.
"Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from higher up.
What we'll do is have you spend one day in hell and one
in heaven. Then you can choose
where to spend eternity."
"Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven,"
says the
senator.
"I'm sorry, but we have our rules."
And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and
he goes down,
down, down to hell. The doors open and he
finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In
the distance is a clubhouse and standing in
front of it are all his friends and other
politicians who had worked
with him.
Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to
greet him,
Shake his hand, and reminisce about the
good times they had while getting Rich at the expense of
the people.
They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on
lobster, caviar and
champagne.
Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly
guy who has a
good time dancing and telling jokes. They
are having such a good time that before he realizes it,
it is time to go.
Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the
elevator rises...
The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on
heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him.
"Now it's time to visit heaven."
So, 24 hours pass with the senator joining a group of
contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the
harp and singing. They have a
good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have
gone by and St. Peter returns.
"Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in
heaven. Now
choose your eternity."
The senator reflects for a minute, then he answers:
"Well, I would Never have said it before, I mean heaven
has been delightful, but I think I would be better off
in hell."
So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes
down, down, down to hell.
Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the
middle of a barren
land covered with waste and garbage.
He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the
trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls
from above.
The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his
shoulder. "I
don't understand," stammers the senator. "Yesterday I
was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and
we ate lobster and caviar,
drank champagne, and danced and had a
great time. Now there's just a wasteland
full of garbage and my friends look
miserable. What happened?"
The devil looks at him, smiles and says,
"Yesterday we were campaigning. Today
you voted."
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