Saint Peter had a terrible cold and fever and didn't think he would
last the day minding the Pearly Gates of Heaven.

So he phoned Jesus to ask for the day off.

"Why, Peter," Jesus said. "You know your health is my first concern.
Take as much time as you need."

As Jesus pondered who he might use to replace Peter, he decided to
handle the job himself.

It was a very slow day and no one approached the Gates until late in
the afternoon, when in the distance, Jesus saw a bent, white-haired
old man slowly making his way up the path with the aid of a gnarled
cane.

As the man neared, Jesus said, "Good afternoon, sir. How may I help
you?"

"Well," replied the man, "I was hoping to enter the Gates of Heaven."

"We would certainly love to have you," said Jesus, "but we do have
certain rules as to who can enter Heaven. Tell me, what have you done
to deserve such an honor?"

"Actually, I have done nothing so wonderful myself," said the man.
"I lived in a small town and led a simple life as a carpenter.

But my son," he continued, "now HE was special !"

With pride in his voice he said, "I raised him to be a carpenter
like myself and did my best to teach him right from wrong.

And when he grew older, an amazing transformation overcame him and
to this day he's known throughout the world and loved by all alike."

As Jesus listened to the story, a sense of recognition came to him.
With a lump in his throat and a tear in his eye, he threw open his
arms and cried, "Father!"

.
.
.
.
.

Emotional at this outburst, the old man threw open his arms and
yelled, "Pinocchio!"

Dai_Nasty

-=| David |=-

We're not going away anytime soon...