THE THREE LITTLE NEPHITES - A Mormon Fairy Tale
Once upon a time there were three Nephites who went out preaching among a wicked people. The people were angry and cast them into three prisons. Now the first Nephite rent his prison in twain too hard. The two halves of the prison flew so far that they smashed people’s houses. The second Nephite rent his prison in twain too soft, so that it was barely cracked and he really had to squeeze to get himself out. The third Nephite rent his prison in twain just right, so the halves were separated, but not so much that they broke anything.
But the people were still angry, and they cast the three Nephites into three pits, and covered them with earth. Now the first Nephite smote the earth too hard, and it rose up and delivered him, but also made a mountain that buried a city. The second Nephite smote the earth too soft, and he had to struggle and fight to get out of the pit. The third Nephite smote the earth just right so that he was delivered but no cities were buried.
But the people were still angry, and they cast the three Nephites into three furnaces. Now the first Nephite cooled his furnace too much, and he got frostbitten toes while escaping. But the second Nephite did not cool his furance enough, and his hair got a little singed. The third Nephite cooled his furnace just right, so he was able to escape in comfort.
Finally, the people cast the three Nephites into three dens of wild beasts. Now the first Nephite played with the wild beasts too roughly, and he accidentally killed them all. But the second Nephite played with the wild beasts too gently, and he got a bite on the neck for his trouble. But the third Nephite played with the wild beasts just right, enough to impress the people, but not so much that the beasts were injured.
And the first two Nephites began to feel that the third Nephite was being a show-it-all. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other two. And the first and second Nephites no longer tarried with the third. And thus was born the latter-day preference for sending missionaries in pairs instead of threes.
:)
*chuckle*
