Chapter XVII. How by prayer he brought water out of a rock and gave it to a thirsting peasant

46. Once, when S. Francis would go to a certain hermitage in order there to give himself more freely to contemplation, he borrowed from a poor man an ass to ride on, for he was very weak. It was in summer, and as the countryman followed the man of God up the mountain he became weary by reason of the length and steepness of the way, and before they reached the place he sank down, exhausted by parching thirst. He cried urgently after the Saint and begged him to take pity on him, saying that he should die unless he could be refreshed by the benefit of some drink. Without delay the Saint of God (who always pitied the distressed) dismounted, and fell on his knees, stretching up the palms of his hands to heaven, nor did he cease to pray until he felt that he had been heard. "Make haste," said he to the countryman, "and yonder thou wilt find water which Christ in mercy has brought to thee at this hour out of the stone to drink." O amazing condescension of God, which so readily bows down to His servants! The peasant drank water from the crag by the power of him who had prayed, and drained a draught out of the hardest rock. Water had never flowed there before, nor could any be found afterwards, as diligent search has proved. What wonder if a man full of the Holy Ghost, should show forth again in himself the wondrous deeds of all the righteous? For when a man is joined to Christ by a gift of special grace it is no great thing if he performs works like those of the other Saints.