PARABLE ABOUT FRIENDSHIP (v.2)

In a cozy old town,  
Where sailboats glide along the river,  
Two elderly neighbors lived,  
Watering their garden beds in spring and summer,  
Clearing the paths of snow in winter.  

One morning, one neighbor, putting on his boots,  
Stepped out to check  
His path, which was a third covered with snow.  
He was surprised to see that his second neighbor  
Had already cleared the path from his gate to his house,  
Apparently having gotten up early.  

The first neighbor felt a bit hurt and decided  
To get up before dawn  
To show his neighbor his skill —  
To clear the entire snow‑covered path.  

But the next morning, just as he was about to stir his tea,  
He looked out the window and saw  
That his neighbor’s path was already clear!  

Then the first neighbor exclaimed in frustration:  
«I’ll wake up in the middle of the night  
So I have the strength to outdo my neighbor!  
There won’t be a single snowflake on my path!»  

Yet that night, he was surprised again —  
His neighbor had once more outdone him!  

Finally, the first neighbor couldn’t take it anymore  
And went to ask how his neighbor  
Managed to clear the path so quickly,  
As if he hadn’t gone to bed at all,  
Leaving his path perfectly clear, to the first neighbor’s envy.  

But the second neighbor said:  
«My curious friend, I haven’t cleared anything at all!  
It’s simple — the path to my home,  
At any time of the day or night,  
Is always trodden by my friends.»