So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. (1 Kings 17:10)
This is one of the commonest of scenes in Oriental lands, where fuel is scarce. Women and children search everywhere for a few sticks or bits of grass that can be used to kindle a fire.