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. Just
then, an armless man approached him and announced that he as 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 his 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, and, as the armless man's
brother stooped to pick up a mallet
to strike the first bell, 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..."
> > > > > > > ( . . . Wait for it . . . )
>>>>>>>>( . . . It's worth it . . .)
. . He's a dead ringer for his brother.
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