Baubles and coins adorned him once,
A glitter of gem and gold;
The wine was quaffed, the songs were sung,
'Til all was lost or sold.

From court to desert he is cast,
A-wandering on the dune;
Bent and parched, his aimless steps,
Fall rasping in his ruin.

A dusty tear lies in his eye,
He falls, his end seems clear;
When from the rise above he spies,
A camel drawing near.

"Come, climb aloft," the beast did say,
"Your time has not yet come;
From burning sorrow and bitter loss,
Salvation can be won."

They rode apace, and hope he found,
In their journey through shifting sands;
With steady lope from the desert's fear,
They reached a lush green land.

The pilgrim learned how to reserve,
His strength for better times;
Forsaking fear and sour remorse,
He learned to love his kind.

We all need friends like that sober beast,
To teach us to survive;
Like the wise and gentle camel,
Living one day at a time.