# Apostle Peter

Дэн Ланц

The Russian legend found by A. N. Afanasiev.

Apostle Peter

Someday, Apostle Peter, being lost in thought, was walking along with his Savior Jesus Christ; when, all of a sudden, he exlaimed: "It must be wonderful to be the God! I wish I would be the God myself, for half a day though, whereupon I would be me, Peter, again!" The God chuckled and answered: "Then, let it be, in accordance with your wish, be the God until evening!" In the meantime, they were approaching a certain country, out of which a peasant woman was driving a flock of geese. She drove them to a meadow and, having left them, hurried back to the country. "Why do you want to leave all these geese by themselves?" questioned her Peter. "Why should I tend them? It's a holy day today," argued the peasant woman. "But who do you think is to tend your flock?" insisted Peter. "May the God tend them today!" replied the woman and left the strangers. "Peter, didn't you hear what she'd said? You know, I'd love to go with you to the feast, but these geese may be in danger: since you are still the God until evening, you must protect them." What could Peter do? Despite his vexation, he had to look after the geese; but he promised in the end, that he'd never wish to be the God.