The Substitute Singer (sent by Murali)

This short story impressed me a lot and I thought I could share it with you. Many people would have already read it as it came in the fortnightly news letter of Paulo Coelho. Check it out :)

The Substitute Singer (sent by Murali) Though I was unable to prove the events of this tale, this event supposedly happened many years ago in the Paris Opera. On the night when a famous tenor was to perform, the packed house was told he would not be able to attend due to traffic. Concerned, the director of the Opera appeared on the stage to explain what was happening and to ask for a local tenor to act as a substitute. The audience reacted as expected; with discomfort. Some spectators rose and asked for their money back, while others simply waited to see what lay in store for them, seeing that they had instructed their chauffeurs and made reservations for dinner, and did not quite know how to kill the time. The substitute tenor came on stage and did the best he could. For two hours he sang with all his heart and soul. At the end, there was almost complete silence, since he was not exactly who the audience had come to hear. Only one spectator applauded. In the midst of the clapping a child’s voice was heard, “Daddy, you’re great! Just great!” The next moment, the whole theater gave a standing ovation; a simple word of love had changed everything. :)