Spirit

I was just reminded of a parable I learned in school. The subject was anthropology. The question was not new: at what point in our evolution did our ancestors become human? This is how the teacher answered it (well, close enough):

"A group of primates was moving in search of a better life. After several years of drought, life was hard, and many had starved in the arid land. Propelled by hunger and hope, they traveled towards the setting sun. Eventually they reached a place where some food could be found, but it was not enough to sustain the clan for long. After a few days, they continued forward -they had no choice. Further on, the promise of abundant water and fresh pastures was carried by the wind blowing from the west. The clan was given renewed hope and marched on. As the sun set, the scent of water was very strong, so they were reluctant to stop even after the first stars shone. Eventually, exhausted but hopeful, they slept.
The next morning, most of the clan was woken by the calls of distress of the early risers. A clear note of despair could be heard in their shouts, so the rest of the tribe hurried in their direction.
They found them ahead, on the path they were following, not far from were they had spent the night. The path ended at the edge of a cliff. On the other side of the abyss, barely beyond reach, a rich land of green pastures and vast herds could be seen. A deer could have jumped over the gap, but the hominids were overwhelmed by fear, and some couldn't even stand at the edge of the cliff. There was no way around, they saw the gap extended as far as they could see, and the path ended in the smallest gap between the two great walls. The clan stood at the end of the path, unable to believe their misfortune; some of them, however, refused to accept their fate, jumping and wailing in anger at the abyss and the tantalizing vision in front of them. Suddenly, one of them ran towards the edge, and jumped.
He managed to reach the other side with one hand, but he failed to find purchase. He fell for a long time, screaming all the way down, not in fear, but in anger and defiance. The clan stared silently at the mote that used to be their comrade at the bottom of the abyss. Soon, another one jumped. She landed on her feet on the other side. Another, older one jumped, caught the edge with one hand and started to slide down towards his doom, but the first one caught his arm and pulled him up. Soon more were jumping, with the stronger helping the weaker, the infants tossed across.
Then, there were no more jumps. Looking back at the other side of the gap, they soon realized that those left behind -some young, some old, some big, some small- wouldn't join them, even knowing that staying behind would lead to their demise, they couldn't make the leap.

Both groups stared at each other across the gap; one one side, the hominids turned around and walked away from the cliff.

On the other side, the humans did the same."