The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to stand by the trunk of a date-palm tree while delivering the sermon. When a pulpit was placed in the mosque, we heard the trunk crying out like a pregnant she-camel until the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came down from the pulpit and placed his hand over it and it became quiet. I used to pray with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and his prayer was moderate in length and his sermon was moderate in length