A ship was wrecked in a storm, and only two men survived, swimming to a small, desert-like island. With no other recourse, they agreed to pray to God. To test whose prayers were more powerful, they divided the island and stayed on opposite sides.
The first man prayed for food. The next morning, a fruit-bearing tree appeared on his side of the island. The other man's land remained barren.
After a week, the first man, feeling lonely, prayed for a wife. The next day, another ship wrecked, and the sole survivor—a woman—swam to his side of the island. The other side received nothing.
Soon, the first man prayed for a house, clothes, and more food. Miraculously, he received them all the following day. The second man still had nothing.
Finally, the first man prayed for a ship to leave the island. In the morning, a ship was docked at his shore. He boarded with his wife, deciding to leave the second man behind, deeming him unworthy of God's blessings since none of his prayers were answered.
As the ship prepared to depart, a voice from Heaven boomed, "Why are you leaving your companion on the island?"
"My blessings are mine alone," the first man replied. "I prayed for them. His prayers went unanswered, so he deserves nothing."
"You are mistaken!" the voice rebuked him. "He had only one prayer, which I answered. If not for that, you would have received none of my blessings."
"Tell me," the first man asked, "what did he pray for that I owe him anything?"
The voice replied, "He prayed that all your prayers would be answered."