A TALE OF HEAVEN AND HELL
While walking down the street one day a US senator is hit by a truck and dies.
Immediately he goes to heaven.
"Welcome, " says St. Peter. "Seldom do we see a high official here, so we're not sure what to do with you.
""No problem, just let me in," says the Senator.
"I'd like to, but I have orders from higher up.
You'll have to spend one day in hell and one in heaven.
You can then 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."
With that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes to hell.
When the doors open, he finds himself in the middle of a lush golf course near the clubhouse.
In front of it are all his friends and political colleagues.
They 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.
Present also is the devil, who is a friendly and convivial and welcoming.
They all have a good time and before he realizes it, it's time for the senator to go.
Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises..
The elevator doors reopen at heaven where St. Peter awaits him.
"Now it's time to visit heaven.
"Twenty-four 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, 24 hours has elapsed.
St. Peter returns to say, "You've spent a day in hell and another in heaven.
Now choose your eternity.
"The senator reflects, then he answers: "Well, I would never have said it before — heaven has been delightful — but I think I'd rather be in hell."
St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he descends to hell.
When the doors of the elevator open, he's in the middle of a stark land littered with waste and garbage.
All his friends and colleagues are dressed in rags, picking up the trash.
As they put it in black bags, 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.
We danced and had a great time.
Now there's just a wasteland full of garbage and misery.
What happened?"
The devil smiled and says, "Yesterday we were campaigning...... Today you voted."
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