An Engineer's Parable
One day, three men ---A Lawyer, a Doctor, and an Engineer---appeared before St. Peter at the Pearly Gates.
First, the Lawyer, with confidence and assurance, proceeded to deliver an eloquent address which left Saint Peter dazed and bewildered. Before the venerable Saint could recover, the Lawyer quickly handed him a writ of mandamus, pushed him aside, and strode through the open portals.
Next came the Doctor. With a dignified bearing, he introduced himself as Dr. Brown. Saint Peter received him cordially. "I feel I know you, Dr. Brown. Many who have preceded you said that you sent them here. Welcome to our city."
The Engineer, modest and diffident, had been standing in the background. He now stepped forward. "I am looking for a job", he said. Saint Peter wearily shook his hand. "I am sorry," he replied; "we have no work here for you. If you want a job, you can go to Hell."
This response sounded familiar to the Engineer. "Very well," he said, "I am always glad to go where there is a tough job to tackle." Where upon he departed.
Strange reports soon began to reach Saint Peter. The Celestial denizens, who once had amused themselves by looking down upon the creatures in the Inferno, commenced asking for transfers to that other domain. Many new arrivals, after seeing both places, selected the Nether Region for their permanent abode. Puzzled, Saint Peter sent a messenger to visit Hell and to report back to him.
"That Engineer you sent down there," reported the messenger, "has completely transformed the place. He has harnessed the Fiery Furnaces for light and power. He has cooled the entire place with artificial refrigeration. He has drained the Lakes of Brimstone and has filled the air with cool perfumed breezes. He has flung bridges across the Bottomless Abyss and has bored tunnels through the Obsidian Cliffs. He has created paved streets, gardens, parks and playgrounds, lakes and rivers, and beautiful waterfalls. That Engineer you sent down there has gone through Hell and has made of it a realm of happiness, peace, and industry."
This charming story was found among the personal papers of the late James H. Reding, a lifelong Engineer.
First, the Lawyer, with confidence and assurance, proceeded to deliver an eloquent address which left Saint Peter dazed and bewildered. Before the venerable Saint could recover, the Lawyer quickly handed him a writ of mandamus, pushed him aside, and strode through the open portals.
Next came the Doctor. With a dignified bearing, he introduced himself as Dr. Brown. Saint Peter received him cordially. "I feel I know you, Dr. Brown. Many who have preceded you said that you sent them here. Welcome to our city."
The Engineer, modest and diffident, had been standing in the background. He now stepped forward. "I am looking for a job", he said. Saint Peter wearily shook his hand. "I am sorry," he replied; "we have no work here for you. If you want a job, you can go to Hell."
This response sounded familiar to the Engineer. "Very well," he said, "I am always glad to go where there is a tough job to tackle." Where upon he departed.
Strange reports soon began to reach Saint Peter. The Celestial denizens, who once had amused themselves by looking down upon the creatures in the Inferno, commenced asking for transfers to that other domain. Many new arrivals, after seeing both places, selected the Nether Region for their permanent abode. Puzzled, Saint Peter sent a messenger to visit Hell and to report back to him.
"That Engineer you sent down there," reported the messenger, "has completely transformed the place. He has harnessed the Fiery Furnaces for light and power. He has cooled the entire place with artificial refrigeration. He has drained the Lakes of Brimstone and has filled the air with cool perfumed breezes. He has flung bridges across the Bottomless Abyss and has bored tunnels through the Obsidian Cliffs. He has created paved streets, gardens, parks and playgrounds, lakes and rivers, and beautiful waterfalls. That Engineer you sent down there has gone through Hell and has made of it a realm of happiness, peace, and industry."
This charming story was found among the personal papers of the late James H. Reding, a lifelong Engineer.
Advertisement