how do i use the fur procedural shader?

[intrepid ant]

Hi there. I am a maya user and quite new to houdini. I am trying to create fur on a simple nurbs sphere but everytime i am trying to use the mantra fur procedural shader it renders pitchblack. I ll would like to know what i am doing wrong and could someone give me a simple workflow how to use the shader properly. Tanx in advance. :bow