Tradition: Swiss Mythology
Alternative Names: The Forgiveness of the Dead, The Angels by the Pond
Category: Ghost
The Myth
In the Valais village of Ernen, a seven-year-old boy named Joseli lay dying. As his family gathered around him, his parents, siblings, and grandfather asked him to forgive them for any wrongs they had done to him during his short life. Joseli agreed to forgive everyone except his grandfather, who had once refused to give him bread when he was hungry. His family almost laughed at this complaint, remembering how fond the boy had been of bread, but soon Joseli died. They mourned him deeply while taking comfort in the belief that he now enjoyed eternal happiness among the angels in heaven.
That night, the old grandfather lay awake and heard Joseli’s voice calling to him. When the voice sounded for the third time, he finally answered, asking whether his grandson had not yet reached heaven. Joseli explained that he had been unable to enter because he had refused to forgive his grandfather for withholding the bread. The old man immediately declared that he forgave him and wished him to go straight to heaven. The room fell silent, but then beautiful music filled the air, accompanied by the joyful cries of Joseli as he ascended into heaven. The grandfather understood that even a small grievance could disturb a soul’s eternal peace until forgiveness was granted.
In Reiden, in the canton of Lucerne, another family suffered the loss of a young child. One day, the father was working at his oil mill while keeping an eye on his little son. Distracted by his work, he failed to notice the boy wandering toward a nearby pond. The child began throwing stones into the water, but when he tried to pick flowers along the bank, he fell in and drowned. When the father discovered what had happened, he carried the dead child home. The mother was devastated and could find no comfort, even when her husband reminded her that their son was now in heaven, where life was far better than on earth.
One night, as the grieving mother lay awake, she heard wonderful music coming from outside. Looking through her window, she saw the area around the pond illuminated as brightly as day. A great company of angels stood there, many playing golden harps and rejoicing in heavenly bliss. Among them stood her own son, dressed in a little white burial garment, but unlike the joyful angels, he appeared sorrowful and seemed unable to hear their music. When she called out and asked why he was sad despite living in eternal happiness, the boy answered that he could not be joyful while his mother continued to weep because he had entered heaven. His words pierced her heart. She dried her tears and resolved to remember him lovingly while rejoicing in his heavenly happiness. When she looked again, the angels rose toward heaven with their golden harps, and she saw her son ascending among them in a snow-white garment, now filled with joy. The darkness returned, but distant heavenly music continued to comfort her. From that night onward, the mother found peace, understanding that love for the dead need not mean endless sorrow.
Sources
“Die gestörte Seligkeit.” SAGEN.at – Traditionelle Sagen aus der Schweiz. Reproduced by SAGEN.at. https://www.sagen.at/texte/sagen/schweiz/allgemein/gestoerte_seeligkeit.html