A certain elderly hermit was traveling through one of the deserts of the East along with two of his disciples. The desert sun shone strongly on them, and they could not find any place to shelter them from its heat, or even the smallest stream of water to quench their burning thirst.

As they continued their journey, they at last saw in the distance a house situated among widespreading palm trees. They walked towards it, and as they came near, they saw that around the house was a garden full of trees filled with ripe fruit.

Immediately one of the young men said: “Let us ask the people who live in this house to let us pick some of the fruit, so that we may get some refreshment in our great need.”

So they went to the door and knocked, but no one came to answer. They knocked a second time, but with the same result. Then one of the young disciples said: “It seems that no one lives here. So let us pull from the trees three apples, one for each of us, and this will refresh us after our long journey.”

Saying this, he put out his hand to pull the fruit; but the old hermit cried out: “My son, do not touch it. You know God’s commandment: Thou shalt not steal. It is not lawful for us to take even a leaf of these trees which do not belong to us, much less to eat of the fruit they produce. So let us be content with resting under the shade the trees give us. This will refresh us enough.”

The three then sat down under the shade of the trees to rest. Meanwhile the old man spoke to his disciples of how the first sin came into the world by our first parents in the Garden of Eden eating the fruit which God had forbidden them even to touch. He added that we ourselves should always to try to restrain our natural inclination, for this inclination is to fulfill our own desires, without caring for God’s Will in the matter.

The two disciples were encouraged by these words of the aged hermit. They set aside all thoughts of the refreshment they so much desired, and continued to rest silently under the shadow of the trees.

After this little time of rest, the three arose to continue their journey. But when they about to leave, the door of the cottage suddenly opened, and the master of the house came out to speak to them.

After kindly greeting them, this man, who was a pagan, said to them: “My friends, know that I was in the house all the time you have been here. I silently watched you, to see how you would act with regard to my fruit upon these trees. I have seen all, and I have heard all, and your words will ever remain deeply engraved in my heart. Come, now, into my house, and eat the refreshment I have prepared for you, which you so much need in your exhausted condition, and which you so much deserve.”

They gladly accepted his invitation, and with his own hands he gave them bread and milk and fruit, as much as they needed.

When they had finished their delightful repast, the pagan said to them: “To what religion do you belong?”

The hermit answered: “We are Catholics, and we believe in Jesus Christ.”

The pagan continued: “Let me learn more about Jesus Christ and His religion which directs its followers to practice such great virtues.”

The old hermit then spoke to him about the truths of our holy Faith, and he listened with rapt attention. When the hermit was finished, the pagan immediately asked to be made a member of that Faith, so magnificent and sublime, which could have no other author but the great God of Heaven and earth.

The hermit baptized him in a stream of water which flowed at a little distance, and the newly baptized Catholic joined their company, leaving behind his worldly possessions that he might belong entirely to God.

Before continuing their journey, the holy old hermit spoke to his companions in these words:

“God always rewards every good work we do for His sake. Therefore, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify God your Father Who is in Heaven.”