Little Johnny Meets the Bishop

Little Johnny’s father was a rector in a small church. When the bishop came to visit, Little Johnny became very excited.

The bishop arrived late in the evening, well past Little Johnny’s bedtime. The next morning, Johnny asked his father if he would be allowed to meet the important man.

His father thought about this and decided that he would let Little Johnny take the bishop his tea and awaken him. His father gave him instructions: “first, knock on the door of the bishop’s room and then say to him ‘It’s the boy, my Lord, it’s time to get up.’”

Little Johnny was very excited. He rehearsed his lines, repeating them over and over. Finally, the tea was ready and Little Johnny picked up the tray and left the kitchen for the bishop’s room.

A few minutes later, the important man–still in his bedclothes–came running through the kitchen, out the door and down the lane.

The father turned to his son and shouted, “What happened?”

“Well, father, I was so nervous I messed up my lines. I knocked on the door and said. ‘It’s the Lord, my boy, and your time is up!’”.