An American decided to write a book about famous churches around the
world. For his first chapter he decided to write about famous Australian and New Zealand
cathedrals. So he bought a plane ticket and made the trip to Sydney, Australia, thinking
that he would work his way across the country. On his first day he was inside a church
taking photographs when he noticed a golden telephone mounted on the wall with a sign that
read "$10,000 per call". The American, being intrigued, asked a priest who was
strolling by what the telephone was used for. The priest replied that it was a direct line
to heaven and that for $10,000 you could talk to God. The American thanked the priest and
went along his way. Next stop was in Brisbane. There, at a very large cathedral, he saw
the same golden telephone with the same sign under it. He wondered if this was the same
kind of telephone he saw in Sydney and he asked a nearby nun what it's purpose was. She
told him that it was a direct line to heaven and that for $10,000 he could talk to God.
"O.K., thank you", said the American. He then travelled to Melbourne, Adelaide,
Perth, Darwin, and Cairns and in every church he saw the same golden telephone with the
same "10,000 per call" sign under it. With his first chapter going well, he left
Australia and travelled to New Zealand, and again, there was the same golden telephone,
but this time thesign under it read "10 cents per call." The American was
surprised so he asked the priest about the sign. "Father, I've travelled all over
Australia, and I've seen this same golden telephone in many churches. I'm told that it is
a direct line to heaven, but in all the cities in Australia the price per call was $10,000
per call. Why is it so cheap here?"
The priest smiled and answered, "You're in New Zealand, now son.
It's a local call". |
