John was riding his horse-cart along the country road. It rained the previous night and the road was full of waterlogged potholes. Then suddenly the wheels of his horse-cart sank into a hole. The more he pulled, the deeper the wheel sank. John climbed down and looked all around but could not find anyone to help him. Looking up at the sky, he started shouting, “Why has this happened to me? O God, come down to help me.” An old woman, who was walking down the road, overheard him. She said, “Do you think you can move the cart by simply looking at it and whining about it? God helps those who help themselves. Try to get the wheel out of the pothole by yourself.” John felt ashamed. He put his shoulder to the wheel and urged on the horse. In no time the wheel was out of the hole.
Help Yourself
