The Burden of Pride

In an ancient desert in Saudi Arabia, there lived a camel named Ra’ad al-Badiya. Lost from his herd during a family expedition, Ra’ad al-Badiya grew up among the sand dunes. These eternal dunes, having seen the land transform from desert to garden and back again, often shared their timeless tales with him. He treasured their stories and found a family among the dunes. As a young calf, he played and slept on the sand, often hearing the dunes whisper, “One should not be so innocent that one cannot survive in the desert, yet one should remain open-hearted for the winds of change.”

Growing up alone in the unforgiving desert, Ra’ad al-Badiya had no choice but to become stronger with each passing day. With strength came pride. Although he found joy in helping pilgrims on their Hajj to Mecca, he did not tolerate anyone speaking to him disrespectfully and despised being challenged on his pride and ego. He had a kind heart but a strong and straightforward personality.

One day, a cunning merchant in the desert, seeing an opportunity to exploit the mighty Ra’ad al-Badiya, put forward a challenge. ‘Carry all my gemstones to the city and bring back an equal worth of merchandise if you are as strong as you claim,’ the merchant said. The dunes counseled him to ignore the challenge, warning that the merchant’s provocations were but a ploy for his own gain and that the weight was far too heavy to bear. But the young camel, driven by pride, ignored their advice.

Determined to prove his strength, Ra’ad al-Badiya carried all the gemstones and set off for the city. The journey was arduous, but he pushed through, forgetting even to carry water and supplies for himself. Upon reaching the city, people gathered to witness the wonder of a camel carrying a mountain of gemstones. After exchanging the gemstones for merchandise, he began his return journey.

Tired but proud, Ra’ad al-Badiya walked past several mirages. His pride wouldn’t let him rest until he reached his destination. The weight of the load and the long trek took a severe toll on him. As he neared the dunes, Ra’ad al-Badiya collapsed, breaking his back under the weight. The goods and wares scattered across the desert. Lying there defeated, he could smell the familiar scent of the sand, reminiscent of his childhood when he slept insecurely among them.

The dunes, observing Ra’ad al-Badiya’s plight, spoke with compassion, “I understand you had to be vigilant and strong growing up. But strength is a mirage, my child. Even the strongest among us have limits, and it is important to recognize and respect those limits. Often what I have seen is that, among all the weights one carries, the burden of pride is the heaviest. Be mindful of your accomplishments, but remember: your mind’s pride should not come at the cost of your body, nor your body’s strength at the cost of your mind. In dealing with a world as harsh as a desert, it's rather skillfulness in communication that keeps us winning. Do you remember how happy you used to be helping the pilgrims and receiving those little gifts in return?”

Ra’ad al-Badiya humbly nodded, absorbing the wisdom in the dunes’ words. He realized that strength is temporary, and what truly matters is the wisdom to know how to use that strength.

While recovering from his ordeal, Ra’ad al-Badiya found joy in listening to the tales of the dunes, just like in the old days.

Ra’ad al-Badiya, proud in spirit yet mindful of his fragile body, continued his journey with a newfound respect for the desert and its trials, and for life and its tribulations. He became known far and wide not just for mere strength, but for his wisdom and humility too. He continued doing what he did best, helping the pilgrims on Hajj and receiving their heartfelt gratitude in return.

And the sand dunes, ever watchful, continued to observe the desert’s travelers, offering silent guidance to Ra’ad al-Badiya whenever he needed it.