’When Huzerut[19] Moosa (Moses), “to whose spirit be peace!” was on earth, there lived near him a poor yet remarkably religious man, who had for many years supported himself and his wife by the daily occupation of cutting wood for his richer neighbours; four small copper coins (equivalent to our halfpence) proved the reward of his toil, which at best afforded the poor couple but a scanty meal after his day’s exertions.

’The prophet Moosa passed the Woodcutter one morning, who accosted him with “O Moosa!  Prophet of the Most High; behold I labour each day for my coarse and scanty meal; may it please thee, O Huzerut! to make a petition for me to our gracious God, that He may in His mercy grant me at once the whole supply for my remaining years, so that I shall enjoy one day of earthly happiness, and then, with my wife, be transferred to the place of eternal rest”.  Moosa promised and made the required petition; his prayer was answered from Mount Tor, thus:—­

’"This man’s life is long, O Moses! nevertheless, if he be willing to surrender life when his supply is exhausted, tell him thy prayer is heard, the petition accepted, and the whole amount shall be found beneath his jhaawn namaaz[20] (prayer-carpet) after his early prayers.”

’The Woodcutter was satisfied when Moosa told him the result of his petition, and when the first duties of the morning were concluded, he failed not in looking for the promised remittance, where, to his surprise, he found a heap of silver coins.  Calling his wife, the Woodcutter told her what he had required of the Lord through his Holy Prophet Moosa; pointing to the result, they both agreed it was very good to enjoy a short life of happiness on earth and depart in peace; although they could not help again and again recurring to the number of years on earth they had thus sacrificed.  “We will make as many hearts rejoice as this the Lord’s gift will admit,” they both agreed, “and thus we shall secure in our future state the blessed abode promised to those who fulfil the commands of God in this, since to-morrow our term of life must close.”

’The day was spent in providing and preparing provisions for the meal.  The whole sum was expended on the best sorts of food, and the poor made acquainted with the rich treat the Woodcutter and his wife were cooking for their benefit.  The food was cooked for the indigent, and allotments made to each hungry applicant, reserving for themselves one good substantial meal, to be eaten only when the poor were all served and satisfied.  It happened at the very moment they were seated to enjoy this their last meal, as they believed, a voice was heard, “O friend!  I have heard of your feast,—­I am late, yet may it be that you have a little to spare, for I am hungry to my very heart.  The blessing of God be on him who relieves my present sufferings from hunger!” The Woodcutter and his wife agreed that it would be much, better for them to go to heaven with half a bellyful, than leave one fellow-creature on earth famishing for a meal; they, therefore, determined on sharing their own portion with him who had none, and he went away from them rejoicing.  “Now,” said the happy pair, “we shall eat our half-share with unmixed delight, and with thankful hearts.  By to-morrow eve we shall be transferred to paradise.”