Part of Simon Phipp's Home Page

The Pope dies and, naturally, goes to heaven. He's met by the reception

committee, and after a whirlwind tour he is told that he can enjoy any of

the myriad of recreations available. He decides that he wants to read all

of the ancient original text of the Holy Scriptures, so he spends the

next

eon or so learning languages.

After becoming a linguistic master, he sits down in the library and

begins

to pour over every version of the Bible, working back from most recent

"Easy Reading" to the original script. All of a sudden there is a scream

in

the library.

The Angels come running in only to find the Pope huddled in his chair,

crying to himself and muttering, "An 'R'! The scribes left out the 'R'."

A

particularly concerned Angel takes him aside, offering comfort, asks him

what the problem is and what does he mean. After collecting his wits, the

Pope sobs again, "It's the letter R'. They left out the 'R'. The word was

supposed to be CELEBRATE!"