While traversing the desert, a man muttered to himself, "What a useless place this is! There isn't a shred of greenery anywhere. And how could there be? There isn't even a trace of water here." As he trudged forward through the scorching sand, his frustration grew with every step. Finally, looking up at the sky in exasperation, he cried out, "Oh God, why don't You provide water here? If there were water, anyone could grow trees and plants, and this place would become so beautiful!" Having said this, he continued to gaze at the sky, as if awaiting God's reply. Suddenly, a miracle occurred; as he lowered his gaze, he spotted a well right in front of him. He had been traveling through this region for years, yet never before had he seen a well there. Astonished, he ran toward it. The well was brimming to the brim with water. He looked up at the sky once more, but instead of offering thanks for the water, he remarked, "The water is fine, but there ought to be some means to draw it out!" No sooner had he uttered these words than he noticed a rope and a bucket lying right beside the well. Once again, he could scarcely believe his eyes. With a hint of panic, he looked toward the sky and asked, "But how am I supposed to transport this water?" Just then, he felt a touch on his back; turning around, he saw a camel standing right behind him! By now, the man was thoroughly alarmed; he feared he might get trapped in the task of transforming the desert into a lush green landscape. This time, without even glancing at the sky, he began to walk away with hurried steps. He had taken barely a few strides when a fluttering scrap of paper drifted down and stuck to him. Written upon that scrap were these words: "I gave you water; I gave you a bucket and a rope. I even provided the means to transport the water. Now you possess everything you need to turn this desert green—now, everything is in *your* hands!" The man paused for a moment, but the very next instant he moved on, and the desert never became lush and green.
Lesson — Often, when things do not go according to our wishes, we blame others. We hold the government responsible—sometimes our elders, sometimes the company, and at other times, God. Yet, in this cycle of shifting blame, we overlook the truth that, as human beings, we possess the power to realize all our dreams ourselves.