After Quasimodo's death, the bishop of the
cathedral of Notre Dame sent word through the
streets of Paris that a new bellringer 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 bellringers
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 down
the many flights of stairs 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..."
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