Imagine That: Tell Uncle Bernie

I was reading something in the Bible about a fish. I thought it was a serious story, then it dawned on me. It was funny! I always thought the Bible was as dry as dust, boring, serious, like a funeral. Until the fish story came along. I thought about the story a lot. This is how I imagined it.

Some people came to Peter and asked him for the didrachm. That was a coin that every Jew had to pay to the temple in Jerusalem. It was a compulsory tax. Oh yeah, they had taxes way back then too.

"Has your master Jesus paid it yet?" they asked.

Peter said of course Jesus had paid the tribute money. Jesus was a Jew wasn't he? Jews paid their taxes, and Jesus was a really good Jew so Hhe must have paid his, OK?

But it was all bluff - Peter really didn't know if Jesus had coughed up the money.

Peter hurried off to see Jesus. Just to make sure. He might have passed some of his mates on the way -

"Hey Pete! Where are you going in such a hurry?""

"I have to see Jesus!"

"What about?"

"I want to make sure he's paid the temple tax."

"Of course he's paid it. You silly duffer!"

When Peter got to the door of the house he was puffing a bit. Fancy that. A big, strong fisherman. Puffed. Before he could get the words out, Jesus appeared in the doorway and asked him a question.

"Tell me Simon" (That was Peter's other name), "Who should a king take tax from . . . the children of his own family, or the people he rules over?"

"Pretty easy question" thought Peter, "But I'd better watch it. Jesus is good at getting people tangled up with his questions."

"From the people he rules over," said Peter, hopefully.

"Right!" said Jesus, "But so as not to offend anyone, "I'll pay the tax, and I'll pay it for you too."

"Great!" thought Peter, "Now he'll get the money and I'll be out of here!"

But Jesus didn't pull a coin from his pocket. He had