Replacement Bell Ringer

Khandro | 10:43 Thu 16th Feb 2012 | Phrases & Sayings

6 Answers

After Quasimodo's death, the Bishop of the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, France sent word through the streets of Paris that a new bell ringer was urgently 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 over a long period, he decided to call it a day and to continue the interviewing process the following day.

Just then, an armless Frenchman approached him and announced that he was there to apply for the bell ringer’s job. The Bishop was incredulous.

'But, you have no arms, Monsieur!'

'No matter,' said the man. 'Observe me, Excellency!' And, pushing his way past the Bishop, he began striking the bells with his face, producing a most beautiful melody on the carillon.

The Bishop listened in astonishment; convinced he had found a sensational replacement for Quasimodo.

But, suddenly, as he rushed forward to strike the bells again in encore, the armless Frenchman tripped over a mallet and plunged headlong out of the belfry window to his death in the street far below.

The stunned Bishop rushed down two hundred and ninety five church steps to reached the street. A crowd had by now 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, 'My Lord Bishop, who was this man?'.

'I don't know his name,' the Bishop sadly replied........

'BUT HIS FACE RINGS A BELL!'

WAIT! Wait a moment, don't groan yet.

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 Lordship, I am the brother of the poor armless wretch who fell to his death from this very belfry yesterday. I pray that you honour his life by allowing me to replace him in this duty.'

The Bishop agreed to give the man an audition, but, as the armless man's brother stooped to pick up a heavy mallet to strike the first bell, he groaned, clutched at his chest, twirled around, and died of heart failure on the spot.

Two monks, hearing the Bishop's cries of anguish at this second shocking 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 now distraught Bishop, 'but...'

Wait for it ...

'...HE'S A DEAD RINGER

FOR HIS BROTHER!’