In a peaceful valley, a farmer named Ravi lived with his small flock of sheep. These sheep were not just animals to him; they were his constant companions. One year, a heavy monsoon made it difficult to find grass in the wild forests. To ensure his sheep stayed healthy, Ravi carefully grew extra clover in his own backyard fields.
One afternoon, a group of wild sheep, wandering in search of food, stumbled upon Ravi’s farm. They looked tired and hungry. Feeling compassionate, Ravi decided to welcome them. He shared his precious clover with the newcomers, and for a while, the farm was filled with the sounds of many sheep grazing together.
However, Ravi soon fell into a trap of excitement. He was so mesmerized by the energetic and playful nature of the new wild sheep that he began to prioritize them. He spent all his time feeding the newcomers the finest grass, while his old, loyal sheep were left with only the scraps and leftovers.
Slowly, the old sheep grew thin and weak. They watched from the corner of the field as the new guests enjoyed the feast. When the rainy season finally ended, the wild sheep began to gather themselves to return to the mountains.
Seeing them leave, Ravi felt heartbroken. "Why are you leaving so suddenly?" he cried out. "I gave you so much food and a warm place to stay!"
A wise old wild sheep stepped forward and looked Ravi in the eye. "Ravi, we are grateful for your kindness when we were hungry. But we saw how you treated your old friends to please us. If we stay here, we will become just like them—forgotten as soon as someone new arrives. We would rather live in the wild than be second-best in your heart."
Ravi stood silent, feeling a deep sting of regret. He realized that in his eagerness to be a great host to strangers, he had failed his most loyal companions. From that day on, he made sure that every member of his flock was treated with equal care and love.
Moral
In the rush to impress new people, never neglect the friends who have always been by your side.
