Unlike today, old pipe organs could only generate sound when a person forced air into the pipes through a bellows. One day, a famous organist held a recital. The audience applauded his magnificent and graceful performance. When the organist went backstage during the break, the old man who worked the bellows on the organ welcomed him with a bright smile, saying,
“Sir, today our concert is successful.”
Then the organist, being offended, said, “ ‘Our?’ You did not play the organ, so how can it be ‘our’ concert?”
“Sir, didn’t I work the bellows during the concert?”
The organist dismissed it and went back on stage to finish the rest of the performance. The organist took a deep breath and played with all his might, but the organ did not make a single sound. There was a murmur throughout the auditorium.
The organist was confused and struck the keys even harder, but there was still no sound at all. Flabbergasted, the organist realized that something was wrong, and looked behind the organ. The old man, who was working the bellows, was at the back of the organ, just sitting there quietly. The organist stood up from his seat, approached the old man, greeted him politely, and apologized for what he said.
“I’m sorry. I made a mistake. Your great talent is needed for this performance. It is time to start ‘our’ concert.”