"It was said of Abba John the Dwarf, that one day he said to his elder brother: 'I should like to be free of all care, like the angels, who do not work, but ceaselessly offer worship to God.' So he took off his cloak and went away into the desert. After a week he came back. When he knocked on the door his brother asked: 'Who are you? ' He said: 'I am John, your brother.' But his brother replied: 'John has become an angel, and henceforth he is no longer among men.' Then John begged him saying: 'It's me!' However, his brother did not let him in, but left him there in distress until morning. Then, opening the door, he said to him: 'You are a man and you must once again work in order to eat.' Then John made a prostration before him, saying: 'Forgive me.' "

- The Desert Fathers