Completing story : "Abu Ben Adhem, a Lover of Mankind" and " A Poor Woodcutter"

Abu Ben Adhem, a Lover of Mankind

Once upon a time there was an honest and pious man. His name was Abu Ben Adhem. He was once sleeping peacefully in his room. Suddenly he woke up. He became surprised to see an angel. The angel was writing the names of the persons who loves God. He asked the angel if his name was there. In reply the angel said that his name was not there. Abu then requested him to put his name in the list because he loved mankind and his fellow brothers. The angel took down his request and went away. He again appeared the next night. Abu Ben Adhem was curious enough to know whether his name was in the list. The angel showed him that his name was at t e top of the list. The angel' told him that it was his reward gifted by God because to love mankind is to love God.

A Poor Woodcutter

Once there was a woodcutter. He was very poor. He used to go to cut trees every day for his survival but came back without any wood. The forest where 'he went to collect wood was a government-owned one. Some restrictions have recently been imposed on cutting wood from the forest. In the past, he managed to collect some wood in collaboration with the persons on duty, but now the scenario is totally changed. The employees now working there were also under pressure. So, they could not help the woodcutter to collect any wood. As a result, he led a very miserable life along with his family. As he was the only earning member of the family. They had to starve for days together. At last he was compelled to change his profession and started working as a porter. Thus he somehow managed his family. Still he was thinking of doing something better for the solvency of his family.