Some jokes just never get old. One of the most beloved types of humor is the kind that begins with someone reaching the Pearly Gates. There’s something about that setting — St. Peter standing with his book, the golden gates behind him, and a line of people waiting their turn — that always seems to bring a smile.

The story below has been told in many versions, but this one has a delightful twist. It’s clean, it’s simple, and it ends in a way you might not expect.

A Sudden Journey

Three nuns were traveling together on a bus when tragedy struck. The bus veered off the road, and in an instant, all three sisters found themselves standing not on a highway, but before the shining gates of heaven.

The clouds glowed with light, and the great gates stood tall and majestic. And there, as always in stories like this, was St. Peter, waiting with a kind but serious expression.

He greeted them with warmth but also explained, “Before I can let you into heaven, you each must answer one question.”

The nuns glanced at one another nervously, folding their hands in anticipation.

The First Nun’s Question

St. Peter turned to the first sister.
“Tell me,” he said, “where did Adam first meet the first woman?”

The nun thought for only a moment before answering confidently:
“In the Garden of Eden.”

St. Peter’s face broke into a smile. Heavenly bells rang, and the gates opened wide. She stepped through, her face filled with joy.

The Second Nun’s Question

Now it was the second nun’s turn. St. Peter asked,
“What was the name of the first woman in the Garden of Eden?”

The nun clasped her hands and answered promptly:
“Her name was Eve.”

Again, St. Peter smiled. The bells of heaven chimed, and the gates opened. The second nun walked through peacefully, her heart light.

The Final Nun Faces Her Test

At last, St. Peter turned to the third nun.

His question was a little different. “Tell me,” he said with a knowing look, “what did Eve say when she first saw Adam in the garden?”

The nun froze. She had studied scripture faithfully, but this one caught her off guard. She thought hard, her brows furrowed, lips moving as if reciting silent prayers.

Finally, after a long silence, she muttered softly under her breath:

“Ooh, that’s a hard one…”

At once, St. Peter’s face broke into a grin. The heavenly bells rang out, and the gates opened wide. The answer had been given — just not in the way anyone expected.

Why Jokes Like This Matter

For those of us who’ve lived long enough to see the ups and downs of life, laughter remains one of the best gifts. A simple, clean story can brighten a day, ease a heavy heart, and remind us that joy is found in the smallest moments.

This little joke about three nuns is more than just a punchline. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the answer we stumble into is exactly the right one.