If You Want a Drink of Water...?

Three men passing through the a desert came across an oasis. There were no people or paths or wells, so it seemed unsettled.

The men were nearly out of water, and they knew they couldn't get much further if they didn't refill soon.

The first man figured if they rationed their water and made shovels, they could dig a well. After all, there had to be water somewhere in an oasis.

The other two were skeptical that they could find it quickly, but agreed. The work was hard and made them thirsty, but if they drank too quickly they would run out of water and die.

After half a day, they had dug a good-sized hole in the ground, but there were no signs of moisture. The second man decided he'd had enough and would rather push on to the next town. Then he could trade for water.

He took his remaining water and left.

That night, after yet no signs of water, the third man decided it would be easier to find fruit containing water. So he too quit.

The one remaining man didn't lose hope. He just changed his strategy. That night he rested and counted his supplies. He could go on for two more days if he rationed, but he would have to work at night to keep cool.

So he worked through the night and slept in the pit the next day until evening. Then he began again. By two days, he was out of supplies and had not reached his goal.

Had he been foolish? What if his companions were right? He sat down and looked up. It was almost morning. He started to pray and didn't stop until he had fallen asleep.

When he woke up his pants felt... cold... and they clung to him. They were damp. DAMP! He hadn't filled his well, but there was certainly water if the earth was damp.

Reenergized, he started digging right away. It was cooler at this depth. The third man, who went to find fruit returned and dropped a small bag down the hole saying he had found just enough to get back home and wanted to leave a few for him.

The man in the pit thanked his friend, bade him farewell and ate one before continuing his dig. This was his routine now for two maybe three more days until finally, when he had nothing left, he succeed. Water spouted up and began to fill his pit.

He had his well and and could drink as much as he wanted. He climbed out, sore, tired, and wet, but satisfied. As it filled, he dressed it up nice and built a covering to protect it.

When he was done, a traveler arrived and said, "Thank God. I've not seen a well in these parts. How much do you charge to draw water?"

"I just finished it. You can drink as much as you like if you leave a little food and tell other travelers it's here."

The arrangement worked. Soon people were stopping by for water. The man made a small fortune in his first months. Within a year, a small community grew around him.

Eventually, the man who had left first, stopped at the thriving camp. He worked at a trading company and was sent to arrange a trade for some barrels of water.

He saw his friend, now married and dressed richly. How could this be? So he approached his friend and said, "God has favored you. How are you so well off?"

The man, his old companion, said to him, "Everyone wants to drink, but very few are willing to dig a well."

Dig your well.

[An original parable from Andrae Smith Jr.]