Him who has sent me this stone vessel without rigging or sail?"

This question, the Devil, who is a great theologian, answered by
another.

"Father, is it praiseworthy to wait, with our arms folded, until help
comes from on high, and to ask everything from Him who can do all
things, instead of acting by human prudence and helping ourselves?

"It certainly is not," answered the holy Mael, "and to neglect to act by
human prudence is tempting God."

"Well," urged the Devil, "is it not prudence in this case to rig the
vessel?"

"It would be prudence if we could not attain our end in any other way."

"Is your vessel then so very speedy?"

"It is as speedy as God pleases."

"What do you know about it? It goes like Abbot Budoc's mule. It is a
regular old tub. Are you forbidden to make it speedier?"

"My son, clearness adorns your words, but they are unduly
over-confident. Remember that this vessel is miraculous."

"It is, father. A granite trough that floats on the water like a cork
is a miraculous trough. There is not the slightest doubt about it. What
conclusion do you draw from that?"