This theme of being ready to size up a situation and move on it is a theme which comes up in other parables (the parable of the ten virgins, five who are foolish and five who are wise and ready) and in Jesus's ministry (the call of the apostles and their immediate response).
LK 9:59-60 "He [= Jesus] said to another man, `Follow me.' But that man said, `Sir, first let me go back and bury my father.' Jesus answered, `Let the dead bury their own dead.'"
Comment: Again the theme of being ready to move when confronted with Jesus and his announcing the kingdom comes through.