The Shepherds’ Paths

Three shepherds drove flocks through a mountain valley. Two paths existed: one short but narrow, one long but wide.

If all three chose the short path, the crowding made it slower than the long one. Through seasons of trying, two shepherds settled on the short path and one on the long.

The lone shepherd on the long path sometimes envied the others. But whenever he tried the short path, the crowding slowed everyone, and he gained nothing.

He always returned to the long path. Not because it was ideal, but because given what the others chose, it was his best option.