> There was a huge outcry from the Muslim community, so the Pope offered a
deal.
> He'd have a religious debate with the leader of the Muslim community. If
the Muslims won, they could stay in Italy; and if the Pope won, they'd have
to convert or leave.
>
> The Muslim people met and picked an aged and wise Moulana to represent
them in the debate.
>
> However, as the Moulana spoke no Italian, and the Pope spoke no Urdu,
they agreed that it would be a "silent" debate.
>
> On the chosen day the Pope and Moulana sat opposite each other.
>
> The Pope raised his hand and showed three fingers.
>
> The Moulana looked back and raised one finger.
>
> Next, the Pope waved his finger around his head.
>
> The Moulana pointed to the ground where he sat.
>
> The Pope brought out a communion wafer and a chalice of wine.
>
> The Moulana pulled out an apple.
>
> With that, the Pope stood up and declared himself
> beaten and said that the Moulana was too clever.
>
> The Muslims could stay in Italy.
>
> Later the cardinals met with the Pope and asked him what had happened.
>
> The Pope said, "First I held up three fingers to represent the Trinity.
>
> He responded by holding up a single finger to remind me there is still
only ONE GOD!!!
>
> "Then, I waved my finger around my head to show
> him that GOD was all around us.
>
> He responded by pointing to the ground to show that GOD was also right
here with us.
>
> "I pulled out the wine and wafer to show that GOD absolves us of all our
sins.
>
> He pulled out an apple to remind me
> of the original sin.
>
"He beat me at every move and I could not continue!!!"
Meanwhile, the Muslim community gathered to ask the Moulana how he'd won.
>
"I haven't a clue," the Moulana said.
"First, he told me that we had three days to get out of Italy, so I gave
him the finger.
"Then he tells me that the whole country would be cleared of Muslims and
I
told him that we were
> staying right here!"
>
> "And then what?" asked a woman.
> "Who knows?" said the Moulana. "He took
> out his lunch so I took out mine. And then he walked away!"
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