Standing by his mother's bedside

A long time ago there lived a great saint. His name was Sharafud-Din
and he loved his mother very much. Once, when Sharafud-Din was still
small, his mother fell very ill and had to stay inbed. One night she
awoke with a burning thirst and called out to her son to bring her a
bowl of water.
The young boy hurried to do her bidding, but when he returned to
herbedside with the water, he discovered that she had fallen asleep
again. Sharafud-Din was not sure what to do. Should he wake her up or
wait until she awoke, or leavethe water by her bedside and go back to
bed himself? He decided to wait until she awoke.
Minutes passed...hours passed...the night passed...and still the small
boy waited patiently with the water at his mother's side. Finally his
mother awokea little after the first light of dawn had paled the sky,
and to her surprise there was her beloved son at her side.
"How long have you been standing here?" she asked. "You haven't been
there all night have you?"
'Yes, mother," he replied,"I have been here since you asked me to
bring you some water."
His mother was deeply touched by his devotion,and asked Allah to pour
His blessings on her son. One day he grew up to be a great saint!