A narrative unfolds in a time when Christ and the twelve Apostles traveled incognito, seeking shelter. They approached a wealthy peasant, who dismissed them, directing them to a poor widow. Despite her meager possessions—a crust of bread, a handful of flour, and a cow without milk—she welcomed them into her home. The widow expressed her concern about feeding them, but Christ reassured her, stating that they would all be satisfied. Miraculously, the single crust of bread sufficed for all, leaving crumbs behind. The next morning, the widow's sister found an abundance of flour in the corn-bin, allowing the widow to prepare a pancake for her guests. After their meal, Christ and the Apostles departed, but not before encountering a hungry wolf. Christ instructed the wolf to eat the widow's cow, prompting astonishment among the Apostles. The widow, upon witnessing the loss, accepted it with grace, attributing it to divine will. Continuing their journey, Christ directed a keg of money to roll to the rich peasant's door, further perplexing the Apostles, who believed the widow deserved it more. The rich man, despite receiving the money, remained dissatisfied, wishing for more. As they traveled, the Apostles grew thirsty. Christ sent them to a well, but they found it filthy and refused to drink. When they reported back, Christ asked why they had not quenched their thirst. They explained the well's repulsiveness. He remained silent as they continued. Later, they encountered another well, this one beautiful and inviting. They drank deeply and lingered, enchanted by its surroundings. Upon their return, Christ revealed that they had been gone for three years, contrasting the experiences of the two wells with the fates of the rich peasant and the poor widow. The narrative illustrates themes of generosity, divine justice, and the contrasting fortunes of the rich and the poor, emphasizing that true wealth lies in faith and kindness rather than material possessions.
By Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev · First published 1833 · Genre: Religious Allegory, Fable, Fairy Tale