Myths and Tales form Greece and Romania May 2012 | Page 123

Back on his road Ivan wants to find out where God lives so he
asks for St.Nicholas’ help. He is transported to Heaven’s gate. He bangs
at the door repeatedly until St.Peter asks him who he is and what he
wants. Ivan asks about basic things in Heaven and finds out alcohol,
women, tobacco and party music are not allowed in Heaven, but in
Hell.So he goes and talks to the devils and liking their answers, gets in.
The devils recognise him and decide to tolerate his whims.
But Ivan’s drunkenness and desire to exploit them is too much so
they call The Foundation of Hell – the smartest devil. It makes a drum and
sounds the march, making Ivan think the war had started. So he takes his
stuff and rushes out of Hell.
He goes back to Haven and stays at the door for days, as a selfappointed guardian until Death shows up for report. As she tries to get to
God to have her instructions, Ivan catches her with his pouch.
Ivan puts the pouch on a branch and asks to talk to God informing
him Death was at the gate (but not telling him it was in the pouch) and
asks what message he should give her. God is again amused and tells
Ivan to inform Death that for the next three years she should only take old
folks such as Ivan. Ivan however tells Death she should only take old
trees for three years.