StorySourceFilter: Guy dies; god is disappointed he didn't travel more
September 23, 2013 1:58 PM Subscribe
I have a half remembered parable that I'm trying to source. The gist is that a guy dies, and when he gets to heaven, God is disappointed he didn't take time to see all the natural beauties of the world.
My memory on this one is pretty hazy. I think the original had a specific location, although I don't remember it for sure. Something like "Why didn't you take time to see Big Sur? It was *right there* your whole life, and I worked so hard to make it beautiful."
It's possible this is just a blurry homily I sat through as a child, but I'm hoping it's something I can find online and source. (And of course I'd appreciate any stories/fables with a similar moral.)
My searches didn't turn up the original, but the closest thing I found is this bit from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. (Which while great is not the original that I am looking for.)
"Are you trying to tell me," said Arthur, slowly and with control, "that you originally ... made the Earth?"
"Oh yes," said Slartibartfast. "Did you ever go to a place ... I think it was called Norway?"
"No," said Arthur, "no, I didn't."
"Pity," said Slartibartfast, "that was one of mine. Won an award you know. Lovely crinkly edges. I was most upset to hear about its destruction."
My memory on this one is pretty hazy. I think the original had a specific location, although I don't remember it for sure. Something like "Why didn't you take time to see Big Sur? It was *right there* your whole life, and I worked so hard to make it beautiful."
It's possible this is just a blurry homily I sat through as a child, but I'm hoping it's something I can find online and source. (And of course I'd appreciate any stories/fables with a similar moral.)
My searches didn't turn up the original, but the closest thing I found is this bit from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. (Which while great is not the original that I am looking for.)
"Are you trying to tell me," said Arthur, slowly and with control, "that you originally ... made the Earth?"
"Oh yes," said Slartibartfast. "Did you ever go to a place ... I think it was called Norway?"
"No," said Arthur, "no, I didn't."
"Pity," said Slartibartfast, "that was one of mine. Won an award you know. Lovely crinkly edges. I was most upset to hear about its destruction."
Best answer: Perhaps its the classic story of R. Shimshon Raphael Hirsch?
Rabbi Shimshon Raphael Hirsch was in Switzerland and went out of his way to visit the Alps. When asked why he would take the time-consuming trip, Rav Hirsch replied, “Because, when I get up to Heaven, God will ask, ‘Nu, Shimshon, what did you think of My Alps?’ ”
posted by So You're Saying These Are Pants? at 3:02 PM on September 23, 2013 [9 favorites]
Rabbi Shimshon Raphael Hirsch was in Switzerland and went out of his way to visit the Alps. When asked why he would take the time-consuming trip, Rav Hirsch replied, “Because, when I get up to Heaven, God will ask, ‘Nu, Shimshon, what did you think of My Alps?’ ”
posted by So You're Saying These Are Pants? at 3:02 PM on September 23, 2013 [9 favorites]
Response by poster: So You're Saying These Are Pants?, that's what I was looking for!
posted by IvyMike at 3:09 PM on September 23, 2013
posted by IvyMike at 3:09 PM on September 23, 2013
You might also be interested in a movie based loosely on this premise, Defending your life.
It's not strictly about seeing the beautiful stuff and focuses more on having the courage to do interesting things that are scary, but that does come up several times as i remember.
posted by emptythought at 4:13 PM on September 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
It's not strictly about seeing the beautiful stuff and focuses more on having the courage to do interesting things that are scary, but that does come up several times as i remember.
posted by emptythought at 4:13 PM on September 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by wnissen at 2:15 PM on September 23, 2013 [1 favorite]