Sheriar's death seemed certain.
Age was worried. "Is this the end of Sheriar's spiritual search? Will the ascetic die of thirst in this seemingly God-forsaken place? Has he been wandering all these years in search of God only to die in this cruel way?"
He could not die yet. Slowly he opened his eyes. Standing before him were two figures staring at him — an old, bearded man and a boy. Each was holding a leather bag filled with life-giving water.
Sheriar struggled to his knees and stretched out his hands for water. The boy poured a little into his palms but Sheriar's thirst was not quenched. Extending his hands toward the figures, he silently prayed for more — but no more was given. Both figures turned and walked away. Sheriar stared at them until they disappeared, and then, with all his strength, he stood up.
Realizing if he stayed where he was he would die, he took God's name and stumbled onward. But after going a short distance, he again fainted. How could he cross the desert? He had neither water nor food, and he was alone in a remote, barren region. Who would help him? Had he hallucinated sipping the water?
Then, startled from unconsciousness, he saw the old man and boy again standing before him ready to help. This time they allowed Sheriar to drink fully of the cool water. His eyes conveyed his gratitude, yet the old man sternly asked, "Why have you come here? Why do you distress the Almighty with your foolish behavior?"
Sheriar could not answer.
Pointing, the old man instructed, "Take this path. You will come across the hut of a hermit and he will feed you. After you have eaten, if you walk in the opposite direction, you will find a town."
Sheriar listened with head bowed. He felt revived after drinking the cool water. When he raised his head to thank the old man and boy, there was no one there. He was awestruck and humbled, and his trust in God's protection was strengthened. Full of love and gratitude, he prostrated himself on the sand and prayed with all his heart.
"But who were the old man and boy?" Age wondered. They were divine messengers or abdals — spiritual agents of the Perfect Masters. Such abdals rescue endangered persons as they traverse the spiritual path.
Taking the path shown through the sands, Sheriar walked to the hut where, without his asking, an old hermit offered him bread.