This story is superb and is one of the richer of the many Inspirational stories of success out there. It is an old Babylonian parable and this account is as narrated in the book ‘The richest man in Babylon’ by George S. Clason. It tells of the story of a Camel trader in Ancient Babylon and how he overcame the odds (mostly the rewards of his own carelessness) to become a successful person.
In the book, the story is told by the man himself to a group of young men in a restaurant-type setting. It is a truly inspirational story of success. The rest of the stories in the book are great as well. See link here
Meet Dabasir
Dabasir was in a bad place and he was sinking fast. He was a young man, newlywed and training in his father’s business to become a saddle maker. Camels were the major mode of transportation at that time in Babylon and saddle-making could be a lucrative trade for any hardworking young man. Dabasir was not yet earning on his father’s level and he was impatient. He wanted the good things of life and wanted them right away. So, he gave in to his desires and splurged on luxurious things he could not afford. Then he borrowed from friends to pay his debts which only increased because of his lifestyle of living beyond his means. He became so heavily indebted to friends and creditors that he could not see a way out.
The only end Dabasir could see to his misfortunes was to run away from home and start a new life in a new city away from his many debts. He found a ‘not-so-well-paying’ job in the new city but he quickly got dissatisfied there as well. Eventually, he ended up with a gang of robbers. Their first ‘expedition’ was successful and they squandered their loot. They were caught the second time around and lost two members of the gang. The others were sold as slaves and Dabasir was bought by a Syrian master for two pieces of silver. He would have been made a Eunuch but got lucky and was made a Camel tender instead.
His life as a slave
At some point, he began to realize how low he had sunk. He who was the son of a respected saddle maker in his home city of Babylon was now a slave in a foreign land. For a year, he lived with the other slaves, but could not become like one of them, and could not really mingle and enjoy their company. It just didn’t feel natural.
When his master’s senior wife, whose camel he tended, asked him why he never socialized, he responded that he usually pondered what she had said to him the day she learned his story. She had said in so many words, that he pretty much got what he deserved. He was a weakling and his debts had run him out of town. He had the mental attitude of a slave and it didn’t matter that he was born free, he had just become what he really was. But if he had the mentality of a free man, then no matter the number of misfortunes that befell him, he would rise above them and become a respected man.
Those words never left him and tortured him every day. He wondered if he had the ‘soul’ of a slave or that of a freeman.
The long road to Success
His opportunity came soon after. His master’s wife asked him if he was determined enough to go back to his city and face his creditors and pay his honest debts. She gave him two camels loaded with food and supplies and gave him his master’s clothes so he looked the part. Then she sent him on his way and told her husband that the slave had run away while they were on a journey.
He was glad and jumped at the opportunity and thanked her profusely. He was determined to go back to his city and do what he needed to do to redeem himself. But the desert trail was hard and unrelenting in its harshness. Soon enough, he ran out of supplies, he and the camels were too weak to continue. It was at this point, hanging in the balance between life and a cruel death from starvation and thirst that he asked himself.
“ ’Have I the soul of a slave or the soul of a freeman?’ Then with clearness, I realized that if I had the soul of a slave, I should give up, lie down in the desert and die, a fitting end for a runaway slave.”
But that was no longer an option for the new Dabasir, he had come this far and was going to see things through. His mind was finally working the right way it should and he was asking himself all the right questions.
“I staggered weakly to my feet. What mattered hunger? What mattered thirst? They were but incidents on the road to Babylon. Within me surged the soul of a free man going back to conquer his enemies and reward his friends. I thrilled with the great resolve.”
Going Strong!
The change had happened in his mind. There was no change in his physical circumstance. He was still weak and faint from hunger and thirst, and his camels were still lying miserably on the desert floor unable to move. But his attitude had changed and he was soon able to convince the camels to get up and give it one more shot. They all got up and plodded on piteously and soon enough, just like you imagined, relief came.
The transformation happened once he developed the right perspective on his problems. He was no longer thinking, that the world was against him, his attitude now was, ‘That’s just a problem to be solved and I will give it my best shot’.
All this while he was not even certain of the direction he was going; he only had his resolve and he persevered and it paid off! He did not suddenly find himself in Babylon and all his worries were over. It was far from that. First, he found water, to solve the immediate problem of the imminent death of him and the camels, then the trail became easier. They found themselves in a place that was better than the desert and easier to travel through. It was no promised land, but their journey had become easier, it was definitely a miracle. Then, Eureka! They found the road that led to Babylon and they were finally on the way home!
Back in Babylon
On getting home to Babylon was it all rosy and sweet? I am sure we all know the answer to that. He was received with mixed feelings. Some were happy to see him and others cursed him for running away with their money. But he faced the task ahead of him head-on. He met with all his creditors and promised to pay them all back in due time. He got a job, started earning, and started repaying and even that took a long while. There were setbacks, but he was consistent in repaying whether he made a huge allowance or only a little. After more than a year, he became debt free!!!
But he would not be the first or only man to repay all his debts, so why celebrate a former slave who is now out of debt? His story is worth reading because he did not stop there, he continued to practice the principles that brought him out of debt, and with the right attitude he now had, he became not only successful but well respected in the city. And guess what? Few people knew he ever was a slave. In fact, he told them himself as part of his story and the people were surprised.
Such is the path of everyone who does not give in to despair or helplessness. Or whine and complain about their misfortunes. Where there is a will, there will always be a way.
God’s Words to us
Galatians 6 vs. 9 (ESV) – And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
James 1 vs. 12 (ESV) – Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
Hebrews 12 vs. 2 (ESV) – Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
I hope you found the story truly inspiring. Look out for more Inspirational stories of success in this category.
This story is from the book “The richest man in Babylon” by George S. Clason.
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