An Apocryphal Story

A Running Feud©
This story is apocryphal and it means you take it with a pinch of salt. St. Peter and St. Thomas had a running feud between them even while their master was around. The cause for their quarrel? St. Peter was vexed by the other who always cast doubts on everything he told on behalf of his master. One day St. Peter came and said he walked earlier in the day on the sea of Galilee. Doubting Thomas laughed in his sleeve and said,” Where did you find the boat large enough?”
St. Peter of course got angry. “Why doubt me?”
“ Pete, you always make sweeping statements. Once a fisherman you can’t escape that sort of talk. OK. The other day didn’t you say the fish you caught had the tribute money in its mouth?”
St. Peter just fled before he felt retorting angrily.
When Peter received the charge of his master he told all how important he was. "On me the master shall build his Church!"he crowed. While the Big Fisherman sketched a grand plan of the Church he had in mind for the future he felt small.
The Church of Rome was established and one day St. Peter while minding the Pearly Gates called out to St. Thomas and said,” Hey Tom, you know the Church they have built in my name is grandest you ever saw. So much of power and prestige! Even the kings of the world quake in their shoes before my representative?”
Later St. Thomas went up to St. Peter and sniggered,” Reformation is going on. You know what gave muscle to the protests.” St. Peter shook his head. “ I did. I am doubting Thomas right?”
“So?”
“ I helped all those skeptics below to doubt the authority of Rome. Well there was so much to point fingers at. Your Church is beaten hollow! Try to fix it if you can.”
benny

Critics Galore!-2

An attempt was once made by some acquaintances to persuade George M Cohan to take a veteran actor in one of his companies. He heard their assertions as to his good behaviour, character et cetera, “ He is a fine fellow, all right” Cohan agreed,” Only one thing I’ ve got against him-he’s stage struck!”
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After the night of Claire de lune, an impossible play written by none other than Michael Strange, the wife of the then matinee idol John Barrymore.
Despite the presence of the Great Profile and Ethel, his sister the play was no go. None of the critics could admit why the thespian took on such a play except Mr. Whittaker of the Chicago Tribune who reviewed the play under the caption” For The Life Of Mike.”
benny

Critics Galore!

Heywood Brown while commenting on a German play, in 1917, was certain that Stein gave, in the leading role, the worst performance he had ever seen any stage. Stein sued for damages. Later it fell to his lot to review yet another performance by the same aggrieved Stein in another play. Brown in his review avoided mentioning his name till the last sentence which read:'Mr.Stein was not up to his standard.'
benny

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Renoir, Auguste Pierre (1841-1919)
In old age the painter suffered from arthritis, which twisted his hands and the cramps got worse. One day Henri Matisse watching him wield a brush with his fingertips and continue, despite the excruciating pain involved in each movement, asked why he persisted in painting.
Renoir replied, “The pain passes, but the beauty remains.”
benny

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One Sunday morning George Marshall came to read in his newspaper the flight of three Russians from Moscow over the North Pole. They had taken off in a single engine monoplane two days before and they were scheduled to stop over in Oakland. But it so happened they were overhead ready to land at Pearson Field, south of Vancouver Barracks, practically in his front yard.
Marshall arranged for their breakfast and went out to receive unexpected and already world famous visitors.
They were brought over to his barracks to rest and Mrs. Marshall won their good will and notice in papers throughout the country by supplying ham, bread and a huge G.I pot of coffee.
Before the converging press could interview the visitors Marshall arranged for change of clothes and set up a news room and facilities for broadcasts in his living room. He knew always what was needed of the moment and cut out the ideological claptrap and party politics.
benny

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Andre Gide, (1869-1951) writer
A few days after the death of Andre Gide, fellow writer Francois Mauriac received the following telegram: ‘There is no hell. You can go on a spree. Inform Claudel'
-Andre Gide.
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Jean Cocteau, (1891-1963) poet, artist
When asked for his view on the existence of hell he replied with a smile, “Excuse me for not answering. I have friends in both places.”

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Castillo of Seville was noted for his amiable disposition. The celebrated Spanish artist once came across some paintings of his nephew Murillo. He looked as if thunder struck and turned away meekly muttering, "Yà murio Castillo! (Castillo is no more!)” He went home in anguish and it is said to have hastened his death. He was never again known to have taken up drawing from that moment.
benny