The angels of heaven often looked down upon the earth. Some wept for the pains of the people, others helped them to ease their labor, and others settled among them to understand how they lived and what they needed.
When it was time for them to return to heaven, the Lord himself came down to them and asked them what they had learned, what he could do for his earthly children.
Once, when he went to collect one of his angels, the Lord could not believe his eyes.
His once white skin was blackened by the sun, his blond curls had stood up and white strands were showing through them. The calluses on his once-elegant hands were the ugliest.
– Какво е станало с теб, чедо? – попитал Бог.
– Щастлив съм, Отче! Много!
– Ама как? Кожата ти – почерняла. Косата ти – побеляла. Ръцете ти – в мазоли. Сигурно и сърцето ти страда, ама за да не ме натъжиш, говориш така. Само кажи, чедо, кой те съсипа и ще вдигна справедливата си десница върху него.
– Не, Отче. Кожата ми почерня, докато сеех жито, с което нахраних гладните. Косата ми побеляла, докато утешавах майките, които оплакваха децата си. Ръцете ми се покриха с мазоли, докато строях къщи за бездомните.
It is blessed to be an angel, Father, but worthy to be a man.
My heart has become human, it subsides and suffers and rejoices.
The Lord understood what the angel told him and since then he often sends heavenly creatures among us to feed us, comfort us, shelter us.
All we have to do is ask and they will land next to us in no time. Angels with human hearts.