The Peasant in Heaven (Grimm)
Division into sections is editorial.
Different receptions at heavens gate
Two souls arrived at the gates of heaven on the same day, seeking eternal rest after their earthly lives had ended. The circumstances of their deaths brought them to this sacred threshold simultaneously, though their earthly stations could not have been more different.
Once on a time a poor pious peasant died, and arrived before the gate of heaven. At the same time a very rich, rich lord came there who also wanted to get into heaven.
The poor pious peasant had lived a humble life of devotion and faith, while the rich lord had enjoyed great wealth and luxury during his time on earth.
When the moment came for admission to the heavenly realm, Saint Peter appeared at the gate, carrying the key that would unlock the entrance to eternal paradise.
Then Saint Peter came with the key, and opened the door, and let the great man in, but apparently did not see the peasant, and shut the door again.
The wealthy lord was immediately welcomed into heaven with tremendous fanfare. From outside the closed gates, the peasant could hear the magnificent celebration taking place within. The sounds of rejoicing filled the air as the heavenly hosts welcomed their new arrival with music and singing that echoed through the celestial realm.
And now the peasant outside, heard how the great man was received in heaven with all kinds of rejoicing, and how they were making music, and singing within.
The poor peasant waited patiently outside the gates, listening to the joyous celebration that seemed to continue for quite some time. Eventually, the music and singing gradually faded away, and all became quiet once more. Only then did Saint Peter return to the gate and open it again, this time allowing the peasant to enter heaven.
The peasant's reception stood in stark contrast to that of the wealthy lord. While he was indeed welcomed with great affection by the angels who came to meet him, there was no music, no singing, and no grand celebration to mark his arrival. The silence was notable and puzzling to the humble man who had witnessed the elaborate welcome given to the rich lord just moments before.
The peasant found himself troubled by this apparent disparity in treatment. Despite being received with kindness and affection, he could not help but notice the difference between his quiet admission and the joyous fanfare that had greeted the wealthy man. This observation would soon lead him to question the fairness of heavenly customs.
Saint Peters explanation of heavenly justice
Unable to contain his curiosity and concern about the different treatment he had witnessed, the peasant approached Saint Peter with his questions. He wanted to understand why the rich man had been received with such elaborate celebration while his own entrance had been marked by silence, despite the warm affection shown to him.
The peasant expressed his bewilderment to Saint Peter, pointing out that the disparity in their receptions seemed to suggest that even in heaven, the same kind of partiality existed that was so common on earth. He had expected that in the divine realm, all souls would be treated with equal honor and celebration, regardless of their earthly wealth or status.
Saint Peter listened patiently to the peasant's concerns and then provided a gentle but illuminating explanation that revealed the true nature of heavenly justice. He assured the peasant that there was no favoritism or partiality in heaven's treatment of souls.
The gatekeeper explained that the peasant was just as dear to heaven as anyone else and would enjoy every heavenly delight that the rich man would experience. The difference in their receptions had nothing to do with their worth or value in God's eyes, but rather with the rarity of their arrivals.
...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!
This explanation revealed the wisdom behind heaven's customs and put the peasant's concerns to rest.