The Old Man and the Two Strangers

An old man sat outside the town gate.

A stranger arrived. “What's this town like? My hometown was full of thieves and liars. I need a new home.”

“Thieves and liars here too,” said the old man.

The stranger began to walk away.

Another stranger approached. “I'm looking for work. Is this a good town? In my hometown people are good and kind.”

“Good and kind here too,” said the old man.

The first stranger protested. “You really are a liar!”

“I speak the truth,” the old man explained. “Wherever you go, you'll find people are just what you are.”