Expectations

A traveler nearing a great city asked an old man seated by the road, "What are the people like in this city?"
The man replied, "What were they like where you came from?"
"A terrible lot," the traveler reported. "Mean, untrustworthy, detestable in all respects."
"Ah," said the old man. "You will find them the same in the city ahead."
Scarcely had the first traveler gone on his way when another stopped to inquire about the people in the city before him. Again the old man asked about the people in the place the traveler had just left.
"They were fine people, honest, industrious, and generous to a fault. I was sorry to leave," declared the second traveler.
Responded the wise one, "So you will find them in the city ahead."