Korttipakka [English translation]

This is an old story. During the war the following took place.

After a long march a company of soldiers came to small town.

The next day was Sunday and the sergeant major ordered the boys to church. When the priest read the prayer, those who had a prayer book with them took it out.

However, one soldier had nothing else with him other than a deck of cards, which he spread out before him on the bench.

The sergeant major saw the cards and said: ”Soldier! Cards away!”.

After the church service the soldier was imprisoned and taken to a court martial. The military judge said: ”Justify your behaviour, otherwise I will punish you harder than any ever before!”.

The soldier replied: ”Sir, I have been marching for almost a whole week. I have neither a Bible nor a prayer book, but I hope you will understand my sincere explanation.

And in so saying the soldier began his story:

Look, Sir! When I see the Ace, I remember there is but only one God.

From the Two, I remember that the Bible has two parts, the Old and the New Testaments.

When I see the Three, I think of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

When I see the Four, the Four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, come to my mind.

When I see the Five, I think of the Five Wise Virgins who took care of their lamps. There were ten virgins in total, five were wise and were saved, and five were foolish and to whom the door was closed.

When I see the Six, it comes to my mind that in six days the Lord created the Heavens and the Earth.

When I see the Seven, I remember that on the seventh day the Lord rested.

And when I see the Eight, I think of those eight right-minded people whom the Lord saved from the Flood. They were Noah, his wife, their sons and their wives.

When I see the Nine, I think of the lepers who Our Saviour cleansed of their ailments. Nine out of ten didn’t even thank Him for it.

When I see the Ten, I think of the Ten Commandments that the Lord gave to Moses on stone tablets.

When I see the King, I think that there is only one king in the Kingdom of Heaven, the Lord Almighty.

And when I see the Queen, I think of the Virgin Mary, who is the queen of the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Jack is the Devil.

When I count together the total points in a deck of cards, I get three hundred and sixty four. This is just one short of the number of days in a year.

There are fifty-two cards. As many as the weeks in a year.

There are four suits. As many as the weeks in a month.

There are twelve picture cards in total. As many as the months in a year.

Each suit has thirteen cards. As many as the weeks in a quarter.

And so, Sir, the deck of cards is my Bible, my almanac and my prayer book.

Dear listeners, This is a true story!

• Artist:Tapio Rautavaara
• Album:Tapio Rautavaara: Tähtisarja - 30 suosikkia