A leading actor was honoured at a banquet. In the after-dinner ceremonies the actor was asked to recite for the pleasure of his guests. He consented, and asked if there was anything special anyone in the audience would like to hear.
There was a moment's pause, and then an old clergyman spoke up. " Could you, sir, " he said, " recite the Twenty - Third Psalm ?"
A strange look came over the actor's face, but he was speechless for only a moment. " I can , sir - and I will on one condition, and that is that after I have recited, you, my friend, will do the same,"
"I ?" replied the surprised clergyman. " But I am not an elocutionist. However, if you wish, I will do so."
Impressively the great actor began the psalm, holding his audience spellbound. As he finished, a burst of applause broke from the guests.
After the applause, the old clergyman rose. The audience sat in intense silence. The psalm was recited, and when it was done, there was not the slightest ripple of applause, but those in the audience whose eyes were yet dry had their heads bowed.
The great actor, with hand on the shoulder of the old clergyman, his voice trembling, exclaimed, "I reached your eyes and ears, my friends; this man reached your hearts. I know the Twenty - Third Psalm ; this man knows the Shepherd. "
No comments:
Post a Comment