In The Commonplace

In one of the “Kudzu” comic strips, a preacher is greeting members of his congregation at the door of the Church after services. Kudzu (the young man for whom the comic strip is named) is finding it hard to suppress a yawn as he says, “See you next Sunday, preacher.” Then a determined-looking woman steps up. Obviously displeased, she says, “Preacher, as a member of the Worship Committee, I must tell you I was hoping you could excite the congregation with your preaching.” To which the preacher replies, “Yes, I said I could excite them–not raise them from the dead!”

A young playwright was extremely gratified when an important New York critic agreed to attend the opening of his…