VINTAGE TALES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

THE HEAVENLY WEDDING (Germany 🇩🇪)

Germany is a country that is widely famous for being home to some of the world's greatest minds. Situated in central Europe, Germany has a rich tradition of folklore and folktales that has developed over several centuries. Two hundred years ago, two young German librarians, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, published a collection of tales that would become one of the most influential works of folklore in the world.

One of the tales that originated in Germany is the story of a young peasant boy who was inspired by a priest's sermon to embark on a journey towards the kingdom of heaven. The boy walked continuously straight ahead over hills and valleys without ever turning aside until he arrived in a great town where God's service was being performed in the Church. As he looked out at the magnificent views, he felt as though he had been transported to paradise. Overwhelmed with emotion, he sat down and allowed himself to revel in the moment, feeling his heart full of joy and gratitude.

After the service ended, the clerk asked him to leave, but he refused, saying, "No, I won't leave again. I'm glad to be in heaven at last." The clerk went to the priest with a troubled expression and informed him that inside the Church, there was a small kid who was refusing to leave because he believed that he was in heaven. The priest said, "If he believes, we will leave him inside."

So he went to the kid and asked if he had any inclination to work. The words of the small boy echoed through the Church, "Yes, I'm accustomed to work, but I cannot bear to leave heaven again." His decision was made, and he chose to stay within the sacred walls. As he watched people come and kneel and pray before the wooden statue of Our Lady (Mother Mary)holding baby Jesus, he thought that was the good God and felt a sense of comfort in his heart. Moved by compassion, he turned to the image and whispered, "Oh, my dear Lord, how thin you are! The people must certainly let you starve but don't worry, but I will share half of my meal with you every day."

From that time forth, the child began to take half of his meal every day to the image, and the image began to enjoy the food. After a few weeks, people noticed that the image was growing larger, stronger, and stuttering, and they were filled with wonder. The priest could not understand it but stayed in the Church and followed the little boy about, and then he saw how the boy shared his food with the Virgin Mary and how she accepted it.

After some days, the young boy started to feel unwell and soon found himself bedridden for eight consecutive days. Despite his sickness, the boy's unwavering devotion towards Our Lady never faltered. As soon as he regained his strength and was able to get out of bed, his first act was to take his meal and serve it to Our Lady, as a gesture of his deep gratitude and reverence towards her. The Priest followed the child and overheard him saying, "Dear God, I have not brought you anything for such a long time because I have been ill and couldn't get up." Then the image responded and said, "I have seen thy goodwill, and that is enough for me. Next Sunday, thou shalt go with me to the wedding."

After receiving the message from the image that he was invited to attend the Heavenly Wedding, the boy was overjoyed. Excitedly, he went to tell the priest who begged the boy to go again and ask the image if he too could be permitted to attend. The image replied, "No, only thou alone."

The priest wanted to prepare the boy by giving him holy communion, which the boy was willing to receive. However, the following Sunday when the host was given to him, the boy fell and passed away. He was then united with his eternal love at "The Heavenly Wedding."

(This story reminds us that through faith, compassion, and gratitude, we can find heaven within ourselves and spread light to those around us. It also highlights the importance of helping others and the fact that even small acts of kindness can make a significant difference in someone's life.)

Source: A German Folktale by The Grimm Brothers from Grimm Fairy Tales.

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