The Wolf and the Flock

In the spirit of Aesop's Fables I wrote this a parable regarding the government and the people.

Once upon a time there was a courageous and selfless shepherd. He raised his flock from lambs and loved them as if they were his own children. Each night he would forsake his own bed to stand guard over his sheep. Each morning he would walk many miles to lead his herd to new pastures and new sources of water. Never did the shepherd marry or father any children. He was completely content serving his flock.

One winter the shepherd became sick and he did not recover. This frightened the sheep. "Who will guard us in our sleep? Who will show us where to find food and water?" the sheep cried out. They mourned the death of their courageous and selfless shepherd. While walking around aimlessly one morning the sheep saw a wolf. Not knowing any sense of danger due to the careful watch of their dearly beloved shepherd, the sheep stopped and watched the wolf. They watched as he stole food from another wolf. They watched as he fought off other animals to keep his food. The sheep looked at each other and agreed that such an animal so devoted to his task and so courageous in achieving it would make a fine shepherd.

"Will you watch us Wolf?" one bleated out. The wolf looked at the herd inquisitively and saw a wonderful opportunity in front of him. He grinned a big toothy grin and replied "Of course I will dear sheep." Thus the sheep found a new herdsman. 

Wolf led the sheep to new pastures and he led them to new water, but each night something strange happened. A single sheep disappeared and in the following morning Wolf would tell them that something had attacked and they must move on. This continued for many days. The herd's numbers kept dropping until there were only three left.

"I think we need a new leader." said one sheep to the other. "I don't think it matters. Whatever is attacking us will keep coming regardless of who's leading us." said another. "I don't care as long we keep finding new food." said the last sheep. Then night came and the first sheep disappeared.

"I'm a bit worried now." said the second sheep to the other. "I still don't care." said the third sheep. Wolf overheard this conversation and not wanting to lose his meals he walked over and smoothly said, "There's nothing to worry about dear sheep. I'm sure that I handled the problem last night. I'm so confident that I believe we can just stay here again." Then night came and the second sheep disappeared.

The last sheep still didn't care that all of his friends had disappeared. He was content eating grass and tending to his own needs. Then night came and he too disappeared. Unfortunately for the wolf he had led the sheep too far away from familiar territory. He spent many days trying to find his way back to his old home. In the meantime his gluttonous stomach twanged with pain as starvation set in. Eventually he disappeared as well.

Reviews

[E.R. Jonas]

Oh, this one I really liked.

I love the moral of the story, kind of a bit of a 'don't bite more than you can chew'...

I don't really have anything to point out here, because I think you were to get through with your story. It's perfect length and I don't feel like there's anything missing from the story.