Sunday, July 19, 2009

one of my favorites ...

After Quasimodo’s death, the bishop of the Cathedral of Notre Dame sent word through the streets of Paris that a new bell ringer was needed.
The bishop decided that he would conduct the interviews personally and went up into the belfry to begin the screening process.

After observing several applicants demonstrate their skills, he had decided to call it a day when an armless man approached him and announced that he was there to apply for the bell ringer’s job.
The bishop was incredulous. “You have no arms!””No matter,” said the man. “Observe!” And he began striking the bells with his face, producing a beautiful melody on the carillon.
The bishop listened in astonishment; convinced he had finally found a replacement for Quasimodo. But suddenly, rushing forward to strike a bell, the armless man tripped and plunged headlong out of the belfry window to his death in the street below.
The stunned bishop rushed to his side. When he reached the street, a crowd had gathered around the fallen figure, drawn by the beautiful music they had heard only moments before. As they silently parted to let the bishop through, one of them asked, “Bishop, who was this man?”
“I don’t know his name,” the bishop sadly replied,.. “But his face rings a bell.”

WAIT! WAIT!
There’s more..........The following day, despite the sadness that weighed heavily on his heart
due to the unfortunate death of the armless campanologist, the bishop continued his interviews for the bell ringer of Notre Dame.
The first man to approach him said, “Your Excellency, I am the brother of the poor armless wretch that fell to his death from this very belfry yesterday. I pray that you honor his life by allowing me to replace him in this duty.”
The bishop agreed to give the man an audition, and, as the armless man’s brother stooped, picked up a mallet and struck the bells as beautifully as his brother. But as he finished, he groaned, clutched at his chest, twirled around and died on the spot.
Two monks, hearing the bishop’s cries of grief at this second tragedy, rushed up the stairs to his side. “What has happened? Who is this man?” the first monk asked breathlessly.
“I don’t know his name,” sighed the distraught bishop, "but... he’s a Dead Ringer for His Brother.”

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

hmmm. some dave humor for us this morning. thanks, dave.

Mary Christine said...

mmmmmmm.

Jess Mistress of Mischief said...

I used to have this amazing friend Gary. I worked with him at a hotel loong loooooong ago. He always had a joke for me when I came in in the morning (he did the overnight shift a lot)

I thank God for Gary! He really was a wonderful guy who kept me laughing even when I thought my world was falling apart.

Thanks for carrying that memory, and that Spirit of Laughter today!

Scott W said...

Oh, brother.

Bill said...

It's a good thing you're not within striking distance.

steveroni said...

Are we looking at the next installments tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow?

Patrick said...

allrightiee then.

Who was the next applicant?

;-)

Scott M. Frey said...

lol... nice long laff, thanks dAAve!

Zanejabbers said...

You know what the Bishop said when he hired Quasimoto?
>>>
>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
Looking face to face with the man He said you're hired.

QM - I had a hunch you would.

Syd said...

These are great. I like your sense of humor. It doesn't sound like a lasting job..the bell ringer position.