How we cite our quotes: (Tale.Page)
Quote #4
A light erupted above her, and the Virgin Mary descended with the two little sons at either side and the newborn daughter in her arms. She said to the queen kindly, "Those who repent their sins and confess will be forgiven." (The Virgin Mary's Child.10)
But until you repent, holy figures like the Virgin Mary might make your life totally miserable. Religion is kind of a mixed bag in these tales, if we're being honest.
Quote #5
So the Lord turned around and went across the street to the small house. No sooner had he knocked than the poor man already had the door open and asked the traveler to enter. (The Poor Man and the Rich Man.289)
Attention: this is only a test. This is only a test. This is—oh, well, if you turned away God in disguise, you didn't just fail the test. You freakin' bombed it. Welcome to a religion where religious figures can test you incognito at any time and dole out rewards or punishments based on your actions.
Quote #6
The old lady looked and saw her two children there. One was hanging on the gallows, the other broken on the wheel. "You see, that's what would have happened to them if they had lived longer and God had not taken them to himself as innocent children." The old lady went home trembling and thanked God on her knees for having shown her more kindness than she had been able to understand. (The Little Old Lady.593)
The lesson here is (and yes, this is yelling): DO NOT QUESTION GOD'S JUDGMENT. Just don't. Seriously. Don't.