One cold, stormy day, a Goatherd led his flock into a cave for shelter. Inside, he found several Wild Goats that had also taken refuge from the weather.
The Goatherd had an idea.
“If I can win over these Wild Goats,” he thought, “my herd will become much larger.”
So he gave the Wild Goats the best food he had. His own goats received only enough to keep them going.
When the storm passed, the Goatherd led all the goats back outside to graze.
The moment they reached the open hills, the Wild Goats ran away.
The Goatherd called after them.
“Is this how you repay me? I gave you the best food and treated you so well!”
One of the Wild Goats stopped and replied,
“We’re leaving because we saw how you treated your own goats. You were willing to neglect your old companions just to impress strangers. If more newcomers arrive someday, how do you think you’ll treat us?”
The Goatherd had no answer.
Moral: Don’t neglect loyal friends to win the favor of new ones.
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