The Just Man, the Kind Man, and the Dead Man

A man and his friend have been stranded in the desert for three days.

While his throat is parched and his brow burnt, it is clear to the man that his friend will not last another day in the sweltering heat without some water, for he was a fool and drank his entire canteen on the first day.

The man’s own canteen hangs about his neck, not but a third of the water remaining. Perhaps tomorrow they will come across an oasis, but he may need all the water that remains to survive that long. So the man and his friend silently trudge on.

Later that afternoon his friend collapses in the sand and breathes his last.

The man carries on, determined to not suffer the same fate. The next morning he finishes the last of his water and scans the horizon. Noticing a shimmer he starts toward it.

After a few hours he staggers into a beautiful oasis with every manner of exotic fruit to please the palette and a score of gorgeous, scantily-clad women.

As he’s fed grapes and fondles one of the women he reflects on how lucky he was. Had he been a fool like his friend, he might have died in the sands there with him.

***

A man and his friend have been stranded in the desert for three days.

While his throat is parched and his brow burnt, it is clear to the man that his friend will not last another day in the sweltering heat without some water, for he was a fool and drank his entire canteen on the first day.

The man’s own canteen hangs about his neck, not but a third of the water remaining. Pained at the suffering of his friend, the man drinks half the water in the canteen and then hands it to his friend. “This is the last of the water, friend,” he says. “Perhaps tomorrow we will come upon an oasis, but you will not make it unless you drink this.” The grateful friend drinks the last of the water and they trudge on.

The next morning the man spots a shimmer on the horizon. As he starts toward it, however, his friend collapses in the sand and breathes his last.

Shaken, the man continues on, determined to reach salvation before he suffers the same fate. With the last of his strength the man crawls toward the shimmer and comes upon a beautiful oasis with every manner of exotic fruit to please the palette and a score of gorgeous, scantily-clad women.

Several days later, after the man regains his strength, he forms a cross with two reeds and sticks it in the wet ground about the life-saving pool. The man bows his head and says a prayer for his lost friend.

As he returns to his women one notices the tears in his eyes. “What troubles thee, my love?”

The man looks up at her and answers, “How unfortunate my friend could not be here with me. I did all I could for him, but it was the will of God. May his soul rest in peace.”

***

A man and his friend have been stranded in the desert for three days.

While his throat is parched and his brow burnt, it is clear to the man that his friend will not last another day in the sweltering heat without some water, for he was a fool and drank his entire canteen on the first day.

The man’s own canteen hangs about his neck, not but a third of the water remaining. Pained at the suffering of his friend, the man hands him the canteen with the remaining water. “Drink this, friend,” he says.

The friend drinks half the water and makes to hand the canteen back to the man. “Do you want the rest of this?” the friend asks.

The man looks at his friend, who looks little improved. “You drink it,” the man says, “you need it more. Perhaps tomorrow we will come upon an oasis, but if not, we will both die here anyway.” The grateful friend drinks the last of the water and they trudge on.

The next morning the man and his friend spot a shimmer on the horizon. As they start toward it, however, the man collapses in the sand, and breathes his last.

With the last of his strength, the man’s friend crawls toward the shimmer and comes upon a beautiful oasis with every manner of exotic fruit to please the palette and a score of gorgeous, scantily-clad women.

After the man’s friend regains his strength he forms a cross with two reeds and sticks it in the wet ground about the life-saving pool. The friend bows his head and mumbles a eulogy for the man: “He was a good man, a true hero, and if not for him I would not be here today.”