Elisha held it out to the boy. When the boy smelt bread, he stretched out his arms, and seizing the slice with both his little hands, bit into it so that his nose disappeared in the chunk. The little girl came out from behind the oven and fixed her eyes on the bread. Elisha gave her also a slice. Then he cut off another piece and gave it to the old woman, and she too began munching it.

“If only some water could be brought,” she said, “their mouths are parched. I tried to fetch some water yesterday⁠—or was it today⁠—I can’t remember, but I fell down and could go no further, and the pail has remained there, unless someone has taken it.”

Elisha asked where the well was. The old woman told him. Elisha went out, found the pail, brought some water, and gave the people a drink. The children and the old woman ate some more bread with the water, but the man would not eat.

“I cannot eat,” he said.