The Ostrich's Pride

In the beginning, the Ostrich was given the speed of a Horse and the strength of a Camel. The Creator told him, "You have two great gifts. You may be a beast of burden like the Camel, or a swift messenger like the Horse. The choice is yours." The Ostrich, however, was proud and lazy. When men came to him with heavy loads, he said, "I am not a Camel, to be burdened like a slave. I am a bird of speed." But when other men came and asked him to carry a swift message to a neighboring village, he said, "I am not a Horse, to be ridden until I drop. I am a bird of great strength." Because he refused to do the work of either the Camel or the Horse, he was left with no work at all. He could not carry loads, and he could not be ridden. He was left with his great speed and his great strength, but with no purpose. He uses his speed only to run from his own responsibilities.