2407. Stairway to heaven © Bruce Goodman 24 April 2022

And there in front of Matilda was a staircase. She had been heading for school a little tentatively because Fatty the playground bully had been flexing his muscles these past few weeks. But now suddenly in front of Matilda the sky opened up and a staircase of overwhelming length and height opened before her. Was this the stairway to heaven? There was only one way to find out. Matilda began to climb. Step by step. It was tiring. Her legs were sore. She thought, I can stop climbing whenever I like. So she did. She would stop ascending, sit on a step, and rest. Of course there was no longer much of a view. Clouds shrouded the earth in misty invisibility. Soon she was on her feet again. Step by step. Higher and higher. She felt pulled towards the apex. Was there perhaps a door? Or a pearly gate? Were there angels waiting to welcome her into Paradise? Matilda thought she could see in the distance where the staircase ended. There was definitely something or somebody there. Nothing motivates a tired traveller like the thought of arrival. Matilda quickened her step. And there she was! At the apex of the stairway to heaven! She gazed at the most beautiful and welcoming gates in the history of existence. Fatty the playground bully was there. He pushed Matilda off, over the side of the staircase. Contact Author Back to Index Next Story Previous Story