I front ended a car on a parking lot.
I hit it, I’d say, pretty bad.
I was not looking and I was careless,
and yes, for sure, I sped.
Two ladies came out of the car I hit.
I felt remorseful and sad.
I told them that I was not looking at all,
And that I felt so bad!
The lady I hit called the police.
She was forgiving and kind.
The officer came and took me aside.
He put a NEW thought in my mind.
“If you LOOKED ahead, then it’s NOT your fault,
as you had the right-of-way.”
“Of course,” I said. “I really was looking…”
I just skipped one word, “away.”
My insurance confirmed it was not my fault.
Well, all was good so far.
My car was fixed. I got some money.
The lady… lost her car.
And then… my final day came...
I found myself by the gates of heaven.
Saint Peter asked if I did OK.
“Did you do right by this lady you’ve hurt?”
“No… But I had the right-of-way”.
Saint Peter pointed at the sign, “Rides To Hell”,
and sent me on my way.
I begged, “Oh please! Don’t look at my sins.
Can’t you, pleeeease… LOOK away?”
Currently I’m living in a dark burning place.
One day, Saint Peter walked by.
I asked him, “Why? Didn’t you hear me?
I begged you. Please, tell me why?”
Saint Peter stopped and calmly said,
“I had the right-of-way.
And yes, I heard you, therefore I LOOKED…
I just skipped one small word, ‘away’”.
Dumbfounded I sat on my burning stool,
but my conscience burnt even more.
What comes around goes around.
Oh, how I wish I knew that before!
But who wants to hear regrets and advise
That mainly come from hell:
“Always do the RIGHT THING,
And ALL will be WELL!”
I’d like to humbly add, “Don’t skip words,
be truthful and clear.”
Well, unless you want to
visit me in here. (:-)
Below are reflection prompts that are designed to encourage deep reflection on the themes of honesty, accountability, empathy, and the moral consequences of our actions. To read, click on grey rectangles.
