Once a ship was wrecked at sea due to storm and only out of all crew two men were bale to swim themselves to a small deserted island. After both reached the island, they didn’t know what to do and both talked and they reached on conclusion that there is nothing they can do except to pray to God and wait for rescue.
However, they both decided to divide the territory between both of them and stay at opposite sides. They did this to determine whose prayers would be more effective.
First thing they needed was food. So the first man prayed for food and next day he saw fruits bearing trees on his side and saw that other man’s side was still barren.
After two weeks, the first man felt lonely and prayed for a wife and next day a woman survivor from the ship wreck swam to his side of the island. On the other side there was still nothing.
Next, the first man prayed for home and clothes and more food. Like magic he got all those things. Still the other man was same as before, nothing had changed.
Finally the first man prayed for a ship so that he and his wife could leave that island. Next morning a ship docked at his side of the island.
He boarded the ship with his wife. Then the first man thought, “Since none of that man’s prayers have been answered, he is unworthy of leaving that island.” So the first man decided to leave the other man on island.
As the ship was about to leave, the first man heard a voice from sky saying, “Why are you leaving your companion on the island??”
The first man replied, “Since I got everything I prayed for that means my blessings are a result of my faith and prayers. His prayers were unanswered that’s why he has nothing on his side and so I figured he does not deserve to leave the island with me.”
The voice from the sky responded, “You are sorely mistaken. You are in great debt to that man.”
“How is that?”, asked the first man.
“It was that person’s faith and prayers that invoked your blessings as he was the one who prayed that all your prayers might be answered.” replied the voice from sky.
Kenrick Vaz 