ABU AND GOD

One day Abu was traveling a long way from his village. After several hours of walking, he became quite tired and decided to rest a while. While he was resting, he raised his hands in supplication and began to utter a prayer. “O God,” he said. “Please send me a goat.” A few minutes later, a man on a pony came riding by. He was leading a young goat. The man approached Abu, stopped next to him and bellowed, “You there, useless creature! Instead of lazing about, carry this goat, it is tired.” Although Abu said that he too was tired, the burly man beat him with a stick, so the unfortunate Abu lifted the goat onto his shoulders. Then the man on the pony proceeded on his way. Every time Abu slowed down, the tyrannical man beat him. After many excruciating hours, they finally reached the village. The man relieved Abu of his burden and left without thanking him. Abu collapsed in a heap on the earth and slept for many hours. When he awoke, he raised his hands in supplication once again and murmured, “O God! What happened? Was it that I couldn't explain, or that you did not understand?"