Double-duty Miracle

C.S. Lewis quote of the day to kick off the topic I was considering 7 years ago:

Miracles are a retelling in small letters of the very same story which is written across the whole world in letters too large for some of us to see.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/c/c_s_lewis_2.html#k8fdAL2CXbXroJkF.99

April 7
I have a growing question about the parallels in the feedings of the 5000 and the 4000.  Many events in Jesus' life went unrecorded. (Gospel writers admit it.)  So why tell two so similar stories at the expense of another different one?  There must be significance in the comparison. 
Differences:
1) The number of people decreased.
2) Amount of time group was left growing hungry--group 1 went one day, group 2 went three days.
3) Group 1 had access to villages where they could have gone to buy food.  Group 2 had only wilderness.
4) Disciples had the idea to feed group 1, as well as an idea how to accomplish it; Jesus had the idea to feed group 2, and the disciples were stumped for how to accomplish it.
5) Both received food.  First group: 5 loaves and 2 fish; second group:  7 loaves and a few fish. 
6) Both had leftovers.  First group: 12 baskets; second group: 7 baskets.
7) First group sat down on the grass, second on the "ground."

The initial thought I have is the two groups represent the faithful in growth in a larger context.  The first have not grown so far as to be able to go more than a day and they still have other sustenance in visible access (villages.)  They are still in a place where the disciples feel they can take care of them and there is softness (grass) underfoot, and much food went uneaten in that group.  Twelve baskets. 
Later, the number of faithful had diminished by 1000 but these demonstrated a willingness to endure more hardship:  the disciples did not know how to serve their needs here, the "landscape" offered no hope, yet they continued to follow Jesus.  Reminds me of the well-known passage:

Phl 4:11	Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content.
Phl 4:12	I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
Phl 4:13	I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.