The Pope and the Bus Driver
A Pope and a bus driver died on the same day and arrived at the Pearly Gates together.
St. Peter checked his list, turned to the bus driver, and said, “Welcome, my son. Please take this silken robe woven with gold thread and this emerald-encrusted staff. You are granted direct access to a luxury mansion in heaven.” The bus driver beamed with joy, bowed in gratitude, and walked through the gates.
Next came the Pope. St. Peter smiled and handed him a plain white cotton robe and a wooden oak staff, saying, “This is for you. Your room is in the communal barracks at the end of the valley.”
The Pope was completely shocked and asked, “St. Peter, I have a bit of a question. I was the head of the Church, dedicating my entire life to praying and preaching to millions of people. Why do I only get a cloth robe and a shared room, while that bus driver gets such luxury?”
St. Peter calmly explained, “We work on a performance basis here, my son. When you preached at the church, everyone in the pews fell fast asleep. But when he drove that bus, every single passenger on board was praying with absolute sincerity!”
