The Difference

I would like to share a favorite “parable”.  I did not write this and unfortunately do not know the author.  If anyone does, please let me know so I may give proper credit.  This is not a direct quote, but written as I remember it.

One night an Angel appeared before me.  He announced that he was going to give me a glimpse of Heaven and hell.  We arrived first at what was surely hell.  There was much wailing and suffering as people sat at tables with bowls in front of them filled with stew, but instead of hands, at the ends of their arms were long wooden spoons, much too long to reach their mouths.   The stench of misery filled the air as they slowly starved.

Next we arrived at our second destination.  The setting was exactly the same; the same tables with bowls filled with stew, and the same long wooden spoons at the ends of their arms, much too long to reach their mouths.  Yet here, everyone was happy and content and joy filled the air.

I asked of the Angel, how can this be, when the circumstances are exactly the same?

The Angel replied,

Ah, HERE they feed each other.

Let us go forth today and feed each other.

♥♥♥