Fredric Brown - Search

The kindly man with the long white beard said, "Welcome to Heaven, Peter." He smiled. "That's my name, too, you know. I hope you'll be very happy here."

And Peter, who was only four, went through the gates of pearl, in search of God.

He went along spotless streets lined with dazzling buildings, among happy people, but he did not find God.

He wandered until he was very tired, but he kept on. Some spoke to him but he paid no heed.

He came at last to a building of gleaming gold that was neater than any of the others, so great that he knew he had found at last where God must live.

The huge doors opened as he walked toward them, and he went in.

At one end of the big room was a great golden throne, but God was not there.

The floor was soft and silken, padded. In the middle of the room, halfway between the door and the throne, Peter sat down to wait for God. After a while he lay down and slept.

It may have been for minutes, it may have been for years.

But he heard the soft sound of footsteps and they awakened him; he knew that God was coming and he wakened gladly.

God was coming; His eyes fell on Peter and they lighted with sudden pleasure. Peter ran quickly toward Him: God put his hand on Peter's head and said quietly, "Hello, Pete." And then He looked beyond toward the throne and His face changed.

Slowly He dropped to His knees and bent His head, almost as though He was afraid. But of whom could God be afraid?

Peter knew that God could not be serious, but he played along with Him.

He wagged his stubby tail to show that he knew it was all in fun and then he turned around and barked at the shining light upon the golden throne.

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