Heaven or Hell

A Story of Hope

An old man had an opportunity to visit heaven and hell before he died. St. Peter asked the old man where he wanted to go first.

The old man said, “Take me down to hell.”

When they arrived in hell, the old man saw a beautiful banquet hall. There were artistic paintings on the walls, bright chandeliers and the finest food and drink one could imagine.

Then the old man looked at the people. They were skin and bones. And they were busy cursing, swearing and spitting at each other. And he quickly told St. Peter to get him out of there.

St. Peter took him to heaven and the old man saw the same beautiful banquet hall, the same artistic paintings, the same bright chandeliers and the best food and drink that heaven had to offer.

Then the old man looked at the people. They looked healthy and fit. They were talking, laughing, and singing. And the old man asked St. Peter what was going on. In both heaven and earth the environment and food were the same. Yet, the behavior of the people was very different.

St. Peter asked the old man if he had seen the silverware. Strapped to each arm was a four-foot fork and a four-foot knife, making it impossible to feed oneself.

Down in hell, everyone was so busy trying to get as much as possible for themselves that nobody got anything. Up in heaven, people fed the people across from them.

And that is the true message of hope. If you help other people get what they need and want in life, you will receive what you need and want. Hope is best found in the gift of helping others.

(This is a retelling of a classic story I first heard listening to Zig Ziglar, a motivational speaker. I have told the story myself in hundreds of my motivational speeches.)