The preacher was depressed about the financial state of his church, knowing how behind bills were going unpaid. Then one day he spotted a stack of boxes partially hidden in the church storeroom. When he opened them he remembered that years ago the church had ordered 1000 bibles. Then the idea occured to him to have a bible sales drive to raise the needed funds to get the church out of debt.
The following Sunday he addressed the congregation about the issue, and asked for 3 volunteers to do the sales.
Three arms shot up. Charlie was a professional salesman of high regard as was Dave, but the 3rd man who raised his hand was Joe. Joe had a bad stuttering problem and low self esteem. The preacher doubted that he would be an effective salesman, but he couldn't bear the thought to tell him that he wouldn't be allowed to volunteer.
So after church, the preacher gave 300 bibles to each seller and sent them on their way, after telling them to ask $10 per bible.
The next week arrived and the three salesman showed up at the preacher's office.
"So Charlie, how'd you do?"
Charlie proudly announced:
"As you know I have been a professional salesman for many years. I am happy to tell you that I did quite well" and he handed the preacher an envelope.
The preacher looks inside and sees $1,500. "Very good Charlie! You sold half of the bibles!"
The Dan handed over his envelope with a smile on his face.
The preacher quickly counts the money and exclaims "Wow, $2,000? You sold even more than Charlie! Wonderful"
Then he turned to Joe and painfully asked him how he did.
Joe slowly started to talk:
"W.w.w.w.w.well, I tried t.t.t.t.to d.d.d.d.do the b.b.b.b.best that I c.c.c.c.could" as he handed the emvelope to the preacher.
The preacher looked inside, not expecting much at all to be there. Then his eyes opened wide in surprise.
"Joe?? There is $3,000 in here. Do you mean to tell me that you sold every bible I gave you? That is terific!"
Charlie was not amused, realizing that both he and Dan had been outsold by a shy and inexperienced salesman with a stuttering problem!
"How did you beat us? You aren't even a salesman!!"
"W.w.w.w.well, when I w.w.w.went t.t.t.to each p.p.p.person's h.h.h.house and.and.and.and th.th.th.they came t.t.t.to the d.d.door, I asked if th.th.th.they w.w.w.wanted to b.b.buy a bible f.f.f.f.f.for t.t.t.ten d.d.d.dollars, or sh.sh.sh.should I r.r.r.read it to them?"
