A Rose is a Rose is a .....

[Karl/Pa.]

There was once a great actor who could no longer remember
his lines. After many years he finds a theatre where they
are prepared to give him a chance to shine again.

The director says, "This is the most important part,
and it has only one line. You walk on to the stage at the opening
carrying a rose. You hold the rose to your nose with just
one finger and thumb, sniff the rose deeply and then say
the line: 'Ah, the sweet aroma of my mistress.'"

The actor is thrilled. All day long before the play he's
practicing his line over and over again.

Finally, the time came. The curtain went up, the actor walked
onto the stage, and using just one finger he delivered the
line, "Ah, the sweet aroma of my mistress."

The theatre erupted, the audience was screaming with laughter
and the director was steaming!

"You bloody fool!" he cried, "You have
ruined me!"

The actor was bewildered, "What happened, did I forget
my line?"

"No!" screamed the director. "You forgot
the rose!"