Some years ago at a dinner a great actor, who was an honored guest, was asked to recite something to entertain the others present. He agreed and asked if there was anything special that his audience would like to hear.
After a moment’s pause an old gentleman present said, “Could you, sir, recite the twenty-third Psalm?”
The actor paused, and a strange look came over his face. Then he said, “I can and will upon one condition; after I have recited it you will also recite it.”
“I?” said the old gentleman in surprise. “But I am not an actor like you. However, I will do so if you wish.”
The actor began the Psalm. His voice and delivery were perfect. He held his audience spellbound. As he finished there was a great burst of applause.
As the applause died away, the old gentleman arose and began the Psalm. His voice was shaky, his delivery was poor. When he finished there was no applause, but there was not a dry eye in the room.
Then the actor rose to his feet again. His voice trembled as he laid his hand upon the shoulder of the old man and said: “I reached your eyes and ears, my friends. He reached your hearts. The difference is just this—I know the twenty-third Psalm, but he knows the Shepherd.”
ML-04/05/1981