Quasimodo had died, the bells of the Cathedral of Notre Dame fell silent, all Paris mourned. The bishop 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 finally decided to call it a day. Just then a man approached him and announced that he was there to apply for the bell ringer's job. The bishop was incredulous for he had noticed that this applicant's sleeves flapped emptily.
"But you have no arms !" exclaimed the flabbergasted bishop
"No matter," said the man, "Observe !"
Whereupon the applicant 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, as he rushed forward to strike the bell, the armless bell ringer tripped and plunged headlong out of the belfry window toppling to his death in the street below.
The stunned bishop rushed down two hundred and ninety five church steps. 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'm afraid I didn't get to know his name," the bishop sadly replied,
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' .................. 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 replacement bell ringer of Notre Dame.
The first man to approach him said, "Your Excellency, I am the brother of the poor armless wretch who fell to his death from this very belfry window aperture yesterday. I pray that you honour his life by allowing me to replace him in this duty. His dear grieving mother would be delighted"
The bishop agreed to give the man an audition, and, as the armless man's brother stooped to pick up the mallet to strike the first bell, he suddenly groaned, dropped the mallet, clutched at his chest, twirled around, collapsed on the belfry floor and died on the spot.
Two monks, hearing the bishop's anguished cries of grief at this second tragedy, rushed up the stairs to his side.
"What has happened ?" the first monk asked breathlessly.
"Who is this man ?" enquired the second monk, gasping for breath.
"I'm afraid I only knew him for a very short time, wept the distraught bishop,"and, regrettably, I didn't get to know his name," he sighed, "but..........."
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(. . . Wait for it ...)
(.. . . It's worth it.. ..)
'HE'S A DEAD RINGER FOR HIS BROTHER..'
