Christianity - A Journey from Facts to Fiction — Page 12
12 Christianity – A Journey from Facts to Fiction ‘That is so’, answered the old man sadly. ‘And I served that old God until his last hour. Now, however, I am retired from service, without master, and yet I am not free, neither am I merry even for an hour, except in memories. ’ ‘That is why I climbed into these mountains, that I might at last celebrate a festival once more, as becomes an old pope and church- father: for know, I am the last pope!—a festival of pious memories and divine services. ’ ‘But now he himself is dead, the most pious of men, that saint in the forest who used continually to praise his God with singing and muttering. ’ ‘When I found his hut I no longer found him himself, but I did find two wolves in it, howling over his death—for all animals loved him. Then I hurried away. Had I come into these forests and mountains in vain? Then my heart decided to seek another, the most pious of all those who do not believe in God—to seek Zarathustra!’ Thus spoke the old man and gazed with penetrating eyes at him who stood before him; Zarathustra, however, took the old pope’s hand and for a long time regarded it admiringly. ‘Behold, venerable man’, he said then, ‘What a long and beautiful hand! It is the hand of one who has always distributed blessings. But now it holds fast him you seek, me, Zarathustra, It is I, the godless Zarathustra, the same who says: Who is more godless than I, that I may rejoice in his teaching?’