Notre Dame
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 decided to call it a day when a lone, armless man
approached him and announced that he was there to apply
for the bell ringers job. The bishop was incredulous. "You
have no arms!" "No matter," said the man. "Observe!" He
then began striking the bells with his face, producing a
beautiful melody on the carillon. The bishop listened in
astonishment, convinced that he had finally found a
suitable replacement for Quasimodo.
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 sure rings a bell."