fopen opening remote files but not local ones

Hello.

I am trying to use fopen to open a local file.

    $fp = fopen("/home/mysite/public_html/pages/test.php", 'r');

does not work

    $fp = fopen("/home/mysite/public_html/pages/test.php", 'r');

does not work either


But, if I put it as a web address it works:
    $fp = fopen("http://www.mysite.com/pages/test.php", 'r');
      

How can I get this to open my local file without having to use http?

Here is my code.

Thanks!

    <?php
    $fp = fopen("http://www.mysite.com/pages/test.php", 'r');
    if (stream_set_timeout($fp, 15) == false){
                echo "Error: Could Not Connect";
        fclose($fp);
    }
    elseif (!$fp){
                echo "Error: Could Not Connect";
        fclose($fp);
    }
    else{
     @fgets($fp);
    fclose($fp);
    }
    ?>