There once was a widow who lived with her son on a farm. This land was their way of life for years, growing crops that supplied them with grain that they would use to make bread and sell in the market. The king of this land was a great and noble leader and loved dearly by all of his subjects.
However, there came a time where the rain did not fall. Three years passed without a single cloud in the sky. The widow and her son could grow no crops, and their storehouses slowly dwindled to nothing.
“My son, I fear for our lives. If the rains do not return, we shall surely die,” the widow explained to her son.
“What shall we do? There must be some way for us to survive!” answered the son with desperation.
The widow sat in silence for a few moments, and then lifting her eyes, said to her son, “Perhaps the king will help us. My boy, gather some traveling supplies and go see if you can present a plea to his majesty.”
Gathering a satchel and filling it with a small portion of food and water, the widow’s son set off to speak with the king. It was a long and treacherous voyage, encompassing many days. When the boy finally made it to the castle he had run out of water and food and was on the brink of starvation.
He approached the gate and called up to the guard, “Please, sir! Allow me to enter the castle. I must speak with the king!”
“What business do you have with the king, little boy?” inquired the guard.
“I come on behalf of my widowed mother, we own a farm out in the countryside but with this drought we have run out of food and will surely starve,” cried the boy.
“The whole kingdom suffers, but come in and plead your case to the king. Perhaps he will find mercy on you and your mother.” With that, the guard opened the gate and the widow’s son entered the castle.
Inside the walls, the castle appeared to be carrying on as usual. One would not know that the whole kingdom was suffering from a drought. Walking through the market place, the boy stared with large eyes at the full carts of fruits and vegetables that were for sale. His mouth water and he could feel his stomach begin to ache with hunger.
He continued towards the king’s court. Upon arriving, he was greeted by another guard. “I wish to speak with the king,” the boy explained.
“I am sorry my little friend, but the king is very busy today. Come back tomorrow and try again,” the guard turned and looked away.
“No, you don’t understand. I came from very far away. My mother and I are out of food and will surely starve. I came to beg the king for food so that we might live,” the young boy was on the brink of tears.
The guard looked back at the boy and saw how desperate he was, and then said, “You cannot see the king today, but perhaps one of his ambassadors will speak with you. Enter and I will take you to one.”
The door swung open and the boy entered into the king’s courtroom. There stood the guard, beckoning with his hand for the boy to follow him. He walked behind the guard who led him into a side room. Sitting in a chair facing a window was an older man who was wearing an exquisite robe.
“Ehh hmm” the guard cleared his throat in an attempt to get the old man’s attention.
Turning around to face the two who were standing in the door, the man said, “Oh why hello there, how may I help you?”
The guard stepped forward saying, “this young man has traveled a great distance and has a request for you. I leave him in your company.” The guard whirled around and walked out of the room.
“Please, have a seat and make yourself comfortable. What is it that you wish to ask of me?” said the old man.
“We have no food left because of this drought. Please, would the king be able to provide for us out of his storehouses so that my me and my mother might live?” pleaded the boy.
“Surely you must have some food remaining,” insisted the old man, “tell me, how much do you have left?”
“I have not been home in a few days, but when I left there were only handfuls of flour and a jug of oil that was almost empty,” he explained. “If I return home without any more food, we can only hope that my mother can use what’s left to prepare one last meal to share before we die.”
“Hmm I see. Well it sounds as if your situation is truly dire. Allow me to consult the king personally, and see what can be done.” The old man was gone only a moment before returning to the chamber. “Do not fear! The king has instructed me to return to your household and do as you have said—we will use the remaining flour and oil to make a meal for you and your mother.”
“Huh?—” the boy began to question, but the king’s ambassador continued.
“—But first, let us make a little cake out of it for me. For the king has declared, ‘the jar of flour will not empty and the jar of oil will not dry until rain returns to the land.’” After saying these things, the old man gathered his robe, and moved towards the door.
The boy didn’t know what to do but to follow. Thoughts and concerns flew through his mind, but he voiced none of them. The old man was moving so quickly that his tired legs had a hard time keeping up with him. Together they left the castle and began venturing off back towards the boy’s home. How does he even know where I live? The boy thought, but the old man kept walking as if he was being led.
They walked for days without ceasing and made it back to the boy’s home in half the time it took his original journey. The young boy was exhausted, collapsing just as he caught view of his house. He saw the old man’s face leaning over him, and then—black.
The boy awoke to the sound of laughter. At first everything was blurry, but slowly he regained his vision and could see the old man and his mother sitting next to his bed. They were both staring at him with smiles across their faces.
“Wha… what happened?” the boy struggled to speak.
“My son! It was an absolute miracle. I saw this man carrying you in his arms. He came right into the house without explaining a thing. He took you upstairs, laying you out on the bed. Then he started praying. He cried out to his Lord asking him to save you! I rushed over to your side, and son, you were not breathing! I thought you were dead. But then after the third time this man prayed, you started breathing again!” the widow began to weep with joy.
“After that,” the widow continued, “he told me to make some bread. I explained that we only had enough for one more loaf of bread, but he promised me there would be enough. Son, the jars are full and they won’t empty! Every time I pour from them, there is always more left.” The old man sat there smiling, eating some bread. He broke off a piece and handed some to the boy. “Please my child, eat up and regain your strength. There is plenty more where this came from.”