Theme: Learning by example

The stray sheep

(Part 2)

When the sheep Tita was brought back home, the other sheep went to receive their companion with affection.

Tita's arrival brought relief to all, who had been very distressed by her decision to venture away from the shepherd and the flock. Now the sheep saw Tita coming back, exhausted, cold and regretful, but alive and safe.

But there was a sheep named Lola who was not happy. She had the same ideas for some time as Tita. She thought about breaking free from the usual routine and having new experiences. Even hearing about the dangers she might encounter, that insistent thought never left her head.

The day before, when Tita strayed from the herd, Lola was even happy. It seemed that this was a signal for her to do the same. Lola was even more inclined to follow her lead soon.

The night passed. The sheep rested and the next morning they began to talk. They wanted to know what had happened to Tita.

She told her colleagues that it was nothing like she expected. She said she felt lonely, lost and scared.

– And the wolves? Did you find any?

– Yes, I saw one up close. And the only reason I wasn't eaten by him was because the pastor saved me - Tita replied, her head down, still frightened by the event.

The sheep wanted to talk more about it, but the shepherd had already arrived to take them for the daily walk. They were on their way and everything seemed at peace again.

But Lola still persisted on the same ideas. Even though she heard Tita's story, something was telling her that it could be different with her. She would be better at getting close to the wolves. She would be braver than Tita to face the darkness and find new paths.

At one point during the tour, Lola decided the time had come. She started walking in other direction, away from the herd. As he had done with Tita the day before, the pastor went after Lola, called her and showed her the way. But the sheep didn't want to come back.

Once again, the herd was disturbed. All were distressed, regretting what was happening. They watched Lola walking away helplessly.

It was then that a sheep ran towards her friend. It was Tita, who was screaming desperately:

– Lola, please don't do this! You are looking for a suffering that you have no idea about. If I gave you this bad example, I ask for forgiveness. I was very sorry and I don't want you or anyone else to go through what I went through.

Lola heard Tita's screams but kept walking. She had taken a while to make that decision and didn't want to give it up so easily.

Tita then returned to the flock and shepherd. Saddened, they all prayed inwardly that Lola would return safe and sound.

Lola went one way, the herd the other, until they could see no more each other.

The sheep looked in all directions and saw only the landscape. She heard a wolf howling in the distance. Sometimes the sheep heard wolves, but with the shepherd who protected them, there was nothing to fear.

But now Lola was alone. She felt a chill and a bad feeling. In a second, all her courage was gone. Tita's pleas came back to her mind. She imagined what she would look like when darkness came and thought:

- My God! What am I doing here? I need to get back as soon as possible!

Lola then turned and started to run. She hadn't walked for a long time. She could no longer see the herd, but it was still daylight and she could find her way back.

Lola ran and screamed for the pastor, who soon heard her and went to meet her too.

Before long, Lola was reunited with the herd. She was received with affection and joy. Tita gave her a big hug. Lola was scared, but soon recovered with the affectionate words of her friends.

Remembering Tita's advice, Lola managed to avoid the worst and returned to living in peace and happiness.

That's how Tita's experience served not only as a teaching for herself, but also to help Lola not make the same mistake.

This is how God takes the good out of evil. That's how bad things that happen can serve as valuable lessons for all of us.

Translation:
Larissa Martine - larissa_am@hotmail.com

marcelapradacontato@gmail.com