A man with a dog walked along a long, wild, tiring road. He walked, he walked, he was tired, the dog was also tired. Suddenly in front of him – an oasis! Beautiful gates, behind the fence – music, flowers, the murmur of a stream, in a word, rest.
– What it is? the traveler asked the porter.
“This is paradise, you have already died, and now you can enter and rest for real.
– Is there water there?
– As many as you like: clean fountains, cool pools …
– Will they give you food?
– Whatever you want.
But I have a dog with me.
“I’m sorry, sir, no dogs allowed. She must be left here.
And the traveler passed by. After a while, the road led him to a farm. At the gate again sat the porter.
“I’m thirsty,” the traveler asked.
— Come in, there is a well in the yard.
– And my dog?
– Near the well you will see a drinking bowl.
– What about food?
“I can take you to dinner.
– And the dog?
– There is a bone.
— What is this place?
– It is a paradise.
— How so? The porter at the palace nearby told me that paradise was there.
– He’s lying. There is hell.
– How do you, in paradise, endure this?
– It is very useful for us. Only those who do not abandon their friends reach paradise.
© Jean-Paul Belmondo