A wise old mongoose sat at the mouth of his sunlit burrow, staring at a massive hoard of golden cobra scales and rare forest fruits he had accumulated over a lifetime of hunting.

A restless young mongoose scampered by, pausing to ask, “Grandfather, why do you spend your days teaching the kits how to dig tunnels, dodge hawks, and share their food? You should lock your treasures deep inside your den and enjoy them in peace.”

The old mongoose smiled, gently sliding a portion of his fruit toward the playground where the young ones chattered. “I am not building a vault,” he replied. “I am planting an orchard.”

The young one scoffed. “An orchard takes years to grow, and you have few summers left. What use are trees to an old mongoose who cannot climb?”

Years passed, and the old mongoose grew frail. His sight dimmed, his paws weakened, and a terrible drought struck the valley, bringing with it a fierce pack of jackals that surrounded his den. The old mongoose curled up, believing his end had come.

Suddenly, a thunderous rustling echoed through the brush. A united band of young mongooses—strong, swift, and fiercely loyal—poured from the canopy and the surrounding burrows. They drove the jackals away in a blur of fur and claws.

Before the old mongoose could catch his breath, the young ones gently lifted him onto a cushioned mat of woven reeds, carried him to the center of the grove, and surrounded him with the sweetest fruits of the season, protecting him with their own bodies.

The young mongoose who had questioned him years ago crept out from the shadows, humbled and amazed. The old elder looked at him, touched his whiskers, and whispered:

“If you hoard your wealth for yourself, you die alone with your treasures. But if you invest your life in the children, your old age is surrounded by a forest that protects you.”

FINAL THOUGHT

“Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days.” — Ecclesiastes 11:1

Too many founders and investors operate with a zero-sum, extractive mindset—hoarding knowledge, exploiting networks, and chasing immediate personal extraction. 

True business wisdom recognizes that investing generously in the next generation of founders, employees, and community stakeholders creates a resilient, protective network. 

By lifting others up and building enduring value for the community, you ensure that when the inevitable droughts and hardships of industry come, you are sustained not by isolated wealth, but by a community you helped raise.

— Early Boykins III