Saint Peter books a week off, so Jesus volunteers to take over his
job checking new arrivals at the Pearly Gates.
After
a slow start, a gray-haired old man approaches and asks him: "Can I
enter Heaven?"
Jesus
replies: "I'm sure we'd love to have you, but what have you done to
deserve your place here?"
The
old man replies: "Nothing much. I lived in a small town and led a
simple life as a carpenter. But my son -- now he was someone
special. I raised him to be a carpenter like myself and did my best
to teach him right from wrong. As he grew older, an amazing change
grew over him, and he is now known and loved right across the whole
world."
As
Jesus listens, tears spring into his eyes. He throws open his arms
and cries: "Father!"
Equally overcome with emotion, the old man throws open his arms too
and cries: "Pinocchio!"
