A story about cooperation (there is some religious stuff in here)

@miamilady (4910)
United States
September 24, 2007 10:25am CST
This is from an e-mail that was forwarded to me by my Dad. It's probably gone around the internet a few times. I don't know who the original source is but I doubt it's been copyrighted... A Holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, "Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like." The Lord led the holy man to two doors. He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in. In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew, which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water. The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful. But because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths. The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering. The Lord said, "You have seen Hell." They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished an d plump, laughing and talking. The holy man said, "I don't understand." It is simple," said the Lord. "It requires but one skill. You see they have learned to feed each other, while the greedy think only of themselves." When Jesus died on the cross, he was thinking of you. Its estimated 93% won't forward this. If you are one of the 7% who will, forward this with the title "7%". I'm in the 7% Remember that I will always share my spoon with you.
9 people like this
13 responses
• United States
24 Sep 07
Question. Do you have to be a Christian to be helped. If so, there will be alot of good people that won't be helped . And you are talking to one. And what about Atheists?They won't be helped either right?
2 people like this
@musicman6 (2406)
• United States
24 Sep 07
One thing about us Christians, we help others whether you are Atheist or not!
2 people like this
• United States
24 Sep 07
Great. That is good to hear.Oh wow if only the selfish will go to hell, it will still be very, very crowded.
@miamilady (4910)
• United States
24 Sep 07
Well, some believe you have to be "saved" to get into heaven. I'm still not sure what I believe, to be honest. I find it hard to believe that people who have never been exposed to religion would be condemned to hell just because they never heard of Jesus.
1 person likes this
@musicman6 (2406)
• United States
24 Sep 07
This is a good story, I had not seen it before, but it does have a good message! And it will go well with all the other lessons in life that I have learned!
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
2 Oct 07
I never seen this. I always pictured hell as flames licking, people grinding and gnashing their teeth, and heaven as a beautiful place too gorgeous for our eyes to see. But this does show the types of people who will more than likely wind up in hell, the greedy ones, while the others will more than likely wind up in heaven. Still the same, if one is in heaven, one is not strapped to a table, even though someone else is feeding you. But I guess for someone who believes that works brings salvation, it seems very logical.
@naty1941 (2336)
• United States
25 Sep 07
I don't recall where I saw it but someone made drawings of hell and heaven and the bowl of stew and the spoons. It is always good to be reminded of the truth of cooperation with each other. Thank you for sharing.
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
25 Sep 07
Is there a difference between being Greedy and Stupid?
@miamilady (4910)
• United States
25 Sep 07
hmmm Good question. Sounds like the makings of another interesting myLot discussion!
• India
24 Sep 07
wonderful. GOD BLESS us all.
1 person likes this
@kuirqs (512)
• Philippines
24 Sep 07
I've read this story before, and yet it hasn't ceased to bring out a sense of wonder in me, of how much a change of perspective and attitude can make things easier and better for everyone involved. Thanks for sharing.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
24 Sep 07
I will feed you always
@DavidReedy (2378)
• United States
24 Sep 07
This is exactly what the Khristos was talking about when he was talking about Heaven. Too bad too many people don't get it, and too bad Christians of today focus too much exclusively on "Christ don't for my sins" instead of focusing on his message while he was alive.
@cefaz_21 (2596)
• Philippines
25 Sep 07
so true.."give a little love and it all comes back to you" thank you for sharing..first time to read this. :P)
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
24 Sep 07
That was a very nice story. I was hesitant to read it at first, because it seemed so long. I am glad that I took the time to read it. It really says a lot about giving to others or being selfish.
@hestee (250)
• Nigeria
25 Sep 07
A simple but very effective treatsie on looking out for each at all times. For all that we do if you only we can stop for a moment to ask yourselves how it will benefit the next person , i believe so much strive will be surpassed.
@dbhattji (2506)
• India
25 Sep 07
Nice story, even we have the same story in our culture. It is co-operation that makes the World go.