The prettiest angel
For the past 20 years I have spoken to all kinds of
audiences in the character of Benjamin Franklin, complete
with costume. One day, I was visiting and talking with
pupils of a primary school. One student raised his hand and
said, "I thought you died." This was not an unusual
question and I tried to find a suitable answer by saying, "Well, I did die on
April 17, 1790, when I was 84 years old, but I didn't like it and I'm never
going to do it again.”
I immediately asked for any other questions and called on a boy at the back
of the room who raised his hand. He asked, "When you were in Heaven, did
you see my mother there?”
My heart stopped. I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me.
My only thought was, don't blow this! I realized for an 11-year-old boy to
ask that question in front of all of his classmates, it had to either be a very
recent occurrence or of utmost concern. I also knew I had to say something
to comfort him.
Then I heard my voice say: "I'm not sure among I met was your mother, but
if it is true, she was the prettiest angel there".
The smile on his face told me that it was the right answer. I'm not sure where
it came from, but I think I just may have had a little help from the prettiest
angle there.
- Ralph Archbold
The heart of a fool is in his mouth, but the mouth of a wise man
is in his heart.
- Benjamin Franklin
