Arranging the speech having your real public in mind
One Sunday in Northern Minnesota, there was a terrible blizzard blowing. The pastor struggled through deep snow to the little town’s church where he found a congregation of one: a farmer in the front pew solemnly chewing gum.
«Well, farmer,» he said «it is a terrible morning and there are only two of us. Shall we call it a day and get back to our firesides?»
«Well,» said the farmer, «dunno. I only know about cattle. If take a load of hay out to the field and only one comes, I still feed him.»
The metaphore continues…
Stung by this rebuke, the pastor went through the whole Mass choosing the longer scriptural texts, giving a homily of 40 minutes and using the longer Eucharistic prayer.
Feeling rather pleased with himself, he again addressed his congregation: «Well, farmer, how did I do? Was that all right?»
There was a pause in the rhythmic chewing. «Well, I dunno,» the farmer said, «I only know about cattle. But if I take a load of hay out to feed them and only one comes, I don’t tip off the whole load.
