Once upon a time, there lived a red-tailed hawk who often soared over the desert and watched a camel carrying loads of goods and travellers across the desert. He noticed that the people called him ‘the ship of the desert’. They provided him food and water. They also praised him because they felt that life was impossible without this precious animal in the desert.

The red-tailed hawk was jealous of the camel. He also had the desire to become popular in the life but found no opportunity to do so. He circled over the heads of the people expecting some kind of appreciation from them. Unfortunately, nobody admired him. People just watched his red tail for sometime and then got busy with the task in hand.

He became so apprehensive that he started criticizing the camel. He called out the camel and said that he was an unlucky animal, since he was the beast of burden. People acknowledged him, because he worked like a slave for them. He told the camel that a hawk leads an independent life. He enjoys his freedom and does not depend on human beings to live at will. He flies freely and does not have to perform any task for man.

The camel had total control over himself and his emotions. He knew how to respond to negative situations. He was well aware that life is neither fair nor easy and but it becomes easy, if a person labours and moves forward. He retorted and gave his explanation. He said that he is the son of God and believes in hard work, because that is the only way to reach heaven. Moreover, he is endowed with divine favour and protection. He has wonderful characteristics to survive in the desert and perform activities according to his will. He told the hawk that he has uncountable blessings in store. He has come to serve God’s purpose in life and he is doing so by helping living beings. He enjoys serving humanity because even human beings who consider themselves the most important species in the world are not able to cross the desert without his help. 

The red hawk had nothing to say to the camel, so he flew away and avoided the camel all his life. The camel’s positive attitude helped him win over his rival. He knew the perfect way to lead a life because ‘what cannot be cured, must be endured.’ This precious teaching of life of life, if followed properly, wins admiration and a person does not feel depressed and dejected.

Capable people do not waste time complaining about traffic jams or lost luggage because they know these are things they cannot control. Instead, they focus on the things they can predominate, and they realise that sometimes, the only thing they can control in certain situations is their attitude.