Once upon a time, there was a shepherd who lived alone. Every day, he tended his sheep, sheared their wool, and sold milk. His life was passable, but he always felt something was missing. He decided it was time to find a wife and settle down.
One day, he met three sisters. All three were quite beautiful and had pleasant personalities. The more he looked at them, the more he liked them. But then came the problem: which one should he choose? He thought long and hard but couldn’t make up his mind.
Finally, he decided to ask his mother. She was older and had seen more of the world, so she might have some wisdom to offer. He explained the situation to her. After thinking for a moment, she said, “Here’s what we’ll do. Invite all three girls to our house. I’ll prepare some milk cakes and place them in front of them. Watch how they eat them, and you’ll know which one is the best fit.”
The shepherd thought this was a good idea and followed her advice. He invited all three sisters over and placed three pieces of milk cake on the table.
The first girl, seeing the food, immediately grabbed a piece and stuffed it into her mouth without even peeling off the outer skin. She ate it in one bite.
The second girl thought a bit more carefully. She decided to peel off the skin first before eating.But she was too hasty, peeling off too much in one go. She ended up wasting a lot of good cheese and finally tossed the whole piece aside, declaring, “Too much trouble.”
The third girl was different. She peeled the rind slowly and carefully, cutting off just the right amount. Each piece was perfectly portioned before she began eating, taking small bites one after another.
The shepherd observed these details closely.After returning home, he recounted the three girls’ behavior to his mother.
After listening, his mother nodded and said, “Choose the third one. She’s diligent and patient—that’s the kind of person you need to build a life with.”
Following his mother’s advice, the shepherd married the third girl. Together, they worked and lived, building a solid and warm life that was truly happy.
The Truth Behind the Story
On the surface, this story seems about choosing a wife, but it actually reveals that a person’s small daily habits reflect their character. Something as simple as eating can show whether she is attentive and capable of managing a household.
The mother didn’t look at their faces or listen to who spoke sweetly; instead, she observed how they handled a simple task. This way of observing is very wise.
What Lesson Does the Story Teach Us?
Don’t judge a person by appearances alone—watch how they handle small tasks.
A person’s sense of responsibility and reliability often lies hidden in their daily actions. For instance, whether they approach tasks earnestly, demonstrate patience, or avoid wasting things. These may seem insignificant, but they’re crucial for building a life together.
Take the third girl in the story—calm and composed, she knew exactly what to do. That kind of character is what makes someone truly suitable for a shared life.
