The camel is one of the oldest mammals on the face of the earth, originating some sixteen million years ago. Many recovering Alcoholics have unofficially adopted it as their symbol because of its appropriateness of possessing the ability to be able to go for a long period of time without a drink. Their choice of the “Arabian” species, which has one hump, was due to similarities other than just the ability to abstain from drinking.
Note the similarities: The Arabian Camel has an above normal range of intelligence. Some of its other attributes disclose a tremendous amount of will power. Camels, in spite of their clumsy appearance, their unpleasant odor, and a body structure, which suggest that it may have been designed by a committee, are nevertheless very loveable creatures. The camel has such precise engineering excellence that it is able to survive under conditions which usually prove fatal to other forms of life. It is built for speed and endurance, capable of covering one hundred miles per day, and carrying up to one thousand pounds.
The Arabian Camel displays a wide assortment of Temperaments, ranging from amiable to downright disagreeable. No matter what their disposition, they have this outstanding desire to obey their master. Without that last attribute, they would be of little use to anyone. The most predominant resemblance to the camel has with the recovering alcoholic is evidenced at the beginning of each day when the camel kneels by its master and is given its daily burden, but only an amount that it can safely carry. At the end of the day, the camel again kneels by its master and is relieved entirely of its burden.
In order to be able to fully understand the resemblance, one would not only need to experience an alcoholic situation, but most importantly, the phenomenon of recovery.
