Be An Eagle

Be An Eagle
(Text-type: Information Report + Exposition)
A Reflection

Have you wondered why the eagle is seen a symbol of power and might? Why does this bird draw so much respect and admiration?

In America, the eagle is a symbol of freedom, stength and independence.
In Egyptian mythology, Ra and Horus (the Sun Gods), had bodies of men, and heads of the winged bird.
More than 20 nations of the world use the image of the eagle on their coat of arms, so did the great empires of the past.

I think that the image of 'greatness' is often derived from the qualities that this breed of bird has.

a)The eagle is monogamus. They mate for life. And when its mate dies, it does not seek another. I suppose, this means that their loyalty and trust to one another are things that humans today should think about. They treasure their relationship with each other.

b) They are good parents. Despite being ferocious and aggressive predators, eagles make good parents. They build their nests together to prepare for their young, and the male eagle takes a lot of responsibility looking after his family. The female eagle goes out of way to train her young to fly. She places her eaglet on her back, and then flies high. Midway, she swoops, and let it fall. The eaglet learns on instinct how to flap its wings, but the mother is always there to 'catch' should it not manage to do so. And if the eaglet has no courage to soar on its own, the mother goes to the extent of even destroying the nest, or even makes it repeat the process of learning to fly until it gains independence. But it does not abandon its young!

The learning point here I suppose is that we must teach our next generation values like team-work and independence. As a mother, I guide, and protect, but to an extent that I do not mollycoddle, and leave my child unable to fend for himself.

c)They have sharp vision. In the animal kingdom, the eagles are the best hunters because they are able to 'see' at very great distances. They can even look at the sun directly without being affected. Once they find their goal, they hone in and zoom down.

Learning point: I ask myself...how clear is my vision? Do I see the goals I want in the future, and do I really keep my focus to achieve them? Or do I get 'blinded' easily by things that distract me.

d)Eagles are resilient: While other birds look for cover during storms, the eagle relishes the bad weather and uses it to his advantage. It catches on the updrafts so that it will be able to fly even above the storm.

Learning point: Storms are our challenges. Instead of running away from them, we meet them , overcome, and we will be able to do even better things.

e) Eagles are not scavengers. It finds thrill in the hunt, and does not eat dead meat, unlike vultures. It relies on its own effort, and reaps the rewards from its own effort. Need I say more? As a human being, I learn to leverage on my own merits. The rewards are definitely sweeter then.

Well, that's my ramblings for today.
I want to be an eagle.
I want to be able to soar (and dance, and dance, not only in my dreams)