Book of Weirdness

#58

An old preacher was dying. He

sent a message for his banker

and his lawyer, both church

members, to come to his

home.

When they arrived, they were ushered up to his bedroom. As

they entered the room, the

preacher held out his hands

and motioned for them to sit

on each side of the bed. The

preacher grasped their hands, sighed contentedly, smiled,

and stared at the ceiling.

For a time, no one said

anything.Both the banker and

lawyer were touched and

flattered that the preacher would ask them to be with

him during his final moments.

They were also puzzled; the

preacher had never given them

any indication that he

particularly liked either of them. They both remembered

his many long, uncomfortable

sermons about greed,

covetousness, and avaricious

behavior that made them

squirm in their seats. Finally, the banker said,

"Preacher, why did you ask us

to come?"

The old preacher mustered up

his strength and then said

weakly, "Jesus died between two thieves, and that's how I

want to go."