Elin Pelin: In the next world: odd-numbered sections: 1) Old Mateiko was a simple,old man, all alone in life,

except for a good-natured little donkey, which he used to carry firewood from the forest. What did he look like ? What kind of clothes did he wear ? What did he use to do every day ? 3) Everyone in the village liked him. Somehow nobody could really imagine that he would ever die. Why did everyone like Mateiko ? Why was it difficult for them to imagine that one day he wouldnt be there ? 5) But you cant stop a soul when it sets out on its journey, can you ? Old M died and his soul left his body. The soul of Mateiko found itself at a crossroads. What did M see at the crossroads ? What did he say to the people there ? 7) Someone showed him the way to Hell so he set off down the road. Suddenly someone pulled at his sheepskin jacket at the back. Who was the person ? What did he say ?

9) The angel took M to Saint Peter, who looked up his name and village in a big book. Mateiko said, Look, there must be some kind of mistake: you know in life, I drank a lot Saint Peter replied, Yes, its true, you drank a lot, but that doesnt matter, because .. (Complete Saint Peters words) 11) Then Mateiko also remembered the priest from his village, Father Nikola. Once again he felt a bit guilty. Why did he want to meet the priest ? Why did he feel a bit guilty about the priest too ? 13) Then M said to the angel: Anyway, please take me to the pub and let me have a drink: my throats burning ! When the angel told M there are no pubs in Heaven, the old man got angry: What did M say about pubs to the angel ? 15) This is like a prison, complained Mateiko, You cant go where you like. Youll get used to it, said the angel. Then M became sly: If I see God, Ill tell him that its a good idea to open a pub here in Heaven. At least the tax collector will have somewhere to sit, if nothing else. Then the angel told M something which made him very happy. What did the angel say ? How does the story end /

Elin Pelin :In the next world: even-numbered sections: 2) Old Mateiko was getting old, very old. What were the signs that he was getting old ? What did he think when he looked back over his life ? 4) One day Mateiko came back from the forest, sat down by the fire, lit his pipe and felt a great pain in his chest. The neighbours came and gathered round. What did the neighbours do ? 6) Old M asked the people around him: Which is the way to Hell? Why did he ask this ? Why didnt he ask for the way to Heaven ?

8)Actually, the man was an angel. The old man told the angel he was going to Hell but the angel said, Ive been sent here to take you to Heaven. The old man said there must have been some kind of mistake. Shame on you, angel ! he said.Dont you know its not nice to tease old people ? The angel didnt listen to Mateiko but picked him up in his wings and flew off with him to the gates of Heaven. What did Mateiko see when they had reached the gates of Heaven ? 10) Mateiko asked if he could at least bring his little donkey into Heaven but the angel didnt listen and pushed him roughly through the gates of Paradise. Mateiko was amazed by the beauty he saw but when he had recovered from the shock , he remembered his wife, Trena, who had died years before. She must be in Heaven, he thought , a little guiltily. Why did he think Trena must be in Heaven ? Why did he feel a little guilty ?

12) The angel told M that, actually, the priest was down in Hell-together with the Bishop ! M asked why they were in Hell and the angel explained this to him. What was the angels explanation ? 14) Then M asked if there any pubs in Hell . He said, Whats the good of all this peace to me if there isnt a drop of rakia ? I know things are bad in Hell but Im used to suffering Ive suffered all my life-and if I have a little drink things wont seem so bad ! What did the angel reply to M ?