Author: Don Nigroni

I was in my study writing verse when this big fellow with a long grey beard and shaggy grey hair inexplicably appeared in front of me. He handed me a sheet of paper.
The paper read:
***
This morning, I was sitting in my living room reading Moby Dick when a big fellow with a long grey beard and shaggy grey hair inexplicably appeared in front of me.
I looked up and said, “Who are you and how the heck did you get in here?”
“Why don’t you just call me St. Peter,” he replied. “I guard the gates to, let’s say, Heaven. I decide whether to let people inside to spend eternity seeing the Beatific Vision or to recycle them. Less than a tenth of a percent are admitted but that’s why I’m here. You seem like a nice guy and, when your time comes, the gates will be opened for you.
But I’ve had this nagging feeling that not everyone eligible wants to spend eternity in Heaven. You’ve lived a rich full life as a nature photographer, traveling hither and yon. I want to know if you’d prefer Heaven or a new life after you pass away?”
I had so many questions flooding into my mind all at once. But I answered, “Heaven sounds boring. I’d rather be, as you say, recycled.”
“Let me assure you that Heaven is supremely and stunningly wonderful. Let me also point out that only a small percent of people on your planet live in comfort. You don’t know what your next life might be like.”
Then the flood of questions came pouring out:
“If you’re from Heaven, how come you have a physical body?”
“How do you recycle people?”
“How can you do what you do with tens of millions dying and being born each year?”
He calmly replied, “I’m an incarnation who, with a host of others, let’s call them angels, reincarnate unworthy people.”
“No offense, but I think I’d prefer reincarnation to Heaven.”
With that he departed as inexplicably as he arrived.
***
After reading the paper, I looked up at him. He stroked his beard and said, “This is a follow-up study. So, what would you like next time, Heaven or reincarnation?”
Seventy-two years ago, I was born into a wealthy family and subsequently led the life of a man of letters.
After careful consideration, I replied, “I’d rather leave that decision up to an expert, you decide.”
And with that he departed as inexplicably as he arrived.