By the Rev. Thomas M. Boles PhD., DMin., D.D.

During the reign of Abdullah the Third, a great drought struck Baghdad. The Mohammendan doctors issued a decree that all the faithful should offer prayers for rain. Still, the drought continued.

The Jews were then permitted to add their prayers.
Their supplications also appeared ineffectual. Finally when the
drought resulted in widespread famine, the Christians in the
land were asked to pray. It so happened that torrents of rain
followed almost immediately.

The whole Conclave was more upset over the cessation of the drought than it had been alarmed at its continuance. Feeling that some explanation was necessary, they issued this statement to the masses: “The God of our Prophet was highly gratified by the prayers of the faithful which were as sweet- smelling savors to Him.

“He refused their requests in order to prolong the pleasure of
listening to their prayers; but the prayers of those Christian infidels were an abomination to Him, and He granted their petitions the
sooner to be rid of their loathsome importunities.”

Be careful how you ridicule a victor. He may have the
skill to best you again in yet another contest.

Luck: a loser’s excuse for a winner’s position

The soul of the sluggard desireth,

and hath nothing; but the soul

of the diligent shall be made fat.

Proverbs 13: 4