English Original
Once upon a time, a poor but pious peasant died and arrived at the gates of heaven. At the same moment, a very rich lord also arrived, seeking entry.
Saint Peter came with the key, opened the gate, and let the rich man in. He seemed not to notice the peasant and shut the gate again. From outside, the peasant heard the rich man being welcomed into heaven with great rejoicing, music, and singing. Eventually, all grew quiet again. Saint Peter returned, opened the gate, and let the peasant in.
The peasant expected a similar musical welcome, but all remained quiet. He was received with great affection, and angels came to greet him, but no one sang.
Puzzled, the peasant asked Saint Peter why they didn't sing for him as they had for the rich man, suggesting that even heaven showed favoritism, just like on earth.
Saint Peter replied, "Not at all. You are as dear to us as anyone else and will enjoy every heavenly delight the rich man enjoys. But poor fellows like you come to heaven every day, while a rich man like that doesn't come more than once in a hundred years!"
中文翻译
从前，一个贫穷但虔诚的农夫去世了，来到了天堂门口。与此同时，一位非常富有的领主也到了，同样想进入天堂。
圣彼得拿着钥匙来了，他打开门，让那位大人物进去了，但似乎没看见农夫，又把门关上了。门外的农夫听到里面是如何欢天喜地地迎接那位富人，又是奏乐又是歌唱。最后，一切重归寂静。圣彼得回来，打开天堂之门，让农夫进去了。
农夫本以为他进去时也会有音乐和歌声，但一切依然非常安静。诚然，他受到了深情的接待，天使们也来迎接他，但没有人唱歌。
农夫感到困惑，便问圣彼得，为什么他们不像迎接富人时那样为他歌唱，并说在他看来，天堂里的事情似乎也和人间一样有偏袒。
圣彼得回答说：“绝非如此。你和任何人一样为我们所珍爱，也将享受富人享受的一切天国之乐。但是像你这样的穷人每天都会来到天堂，而像他那样的富人一百年也来不了一个！”