According to an old Jewish legend, Abraham was seated outside this tent one day when an old man walked slowly into view. Wrinkled and bent, with sand coloured, weather beaten skin, eyes screwed up tight against the sun, and ancient cloak worn soft as a second skin, he looked almost as old as the desert itself.
Abraham kept up, welcomed the man, and, as was the custom, offered him rest and refreshment.
The old man was happy to accept Abrahams offer, and took a seat in the shade to drink some cool water. When the meal was ready, Abraham had his servants offer a portion to the traveller. But Abraham noticed that the man did not take part in The blessing of the meal, and asked him why not.
" I worship the fire gods," replied the man. "I have served them all my life, and could not disrespect them by praying to any other god."
This made Abraham angry, and he sent the man away.
In the cool of the evening, as the sun set, God spoke to Abraham about his visitor, and asked why Abraham had sent him away.
"He refused to bow down to you, Lord," Abraham explained.
"Oh, Abraham," the Lord spoke sadly. "I have been looking after that man for nearly one hundred years. Could you not have looked after him for just one day?"
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