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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Parable of the Good Shepherd (John 10:1-18) (02/15/24)
I am The Shepherd

The golden sun is rising over the almost-desert. The light seems to have a life of its own. The sand glows with a bright yet strangely gentle glow. This is the best time to look for signs of water. Tiny differences in colour and shading stand out. Even a few little hints of green. I notice them all; I remember where they are. That is my job. I am SHEPHERD.

A sudden bawling makes me turn my head. The little orphaned lamb is awake, and does not understand why its mother is not there. I pick her up and she snuffles in my arms. The mother sheep I had placed her with has rejected her. It hurts to see my sheep behave badly. But I never run out of love for them. I am Shepherd. I take the orphan to another mother, who seems to accept her. The little lamb trots up to the other lamb this mother is already feeding, and together they suck. I wander around the flock. All seems well. Good. It will be a long day.
The water pool is drying. It will be a long walk to the next pool. Limited food. The sheep have to trust me, and follow as I lead them. Their greatest call is the smell of water they are leaving behind. But they trust me. As long as they obey they are safe. No way would I let anything hurt them.

And I trust my Father in Heaven. He gave me this job, and helps me care for them.

Suddenly – movement off in the distance. Wolf! No doubt a very hungry wolf.

We head off. I call each sheep by name, and they follow me. The lambs follow their mothers. The little orphan follows too, to my relief. I have called her “Drozha” which means, “My dear little one”.
I love watching happy lambs play. I have a wonderful job! I’m tired, and sore from sleeping on the ground, and I would love some home-cooked food, but none of that matters. I am Shepherd.

I take them to a patch of green, then another, then another. It is my job to keep them safe and fed and I love it.

That wolf is getting closer. Danger. I must face the wolf. If I ran away I would be safe – but not the sheep. So I cannot run. I push the temptation aside. My Father in Heaven does NOT want me to desert the sheep, so I never will. I love them.

Suddenly the sheep panic. They smelt the wolf and ran behind me. They trust me.

I face the snarling wolf. My sheep are depending on me. I have no choice. Suddenly it charges me. I do not run. I am Shepherd.
I plunge my rod right into the wolf’s mouth and flip it over. Then I grab a stone and bash it on the head. Hard. It is dead. Pain wells up inside me. My Father in Heaven never wanted wolves to behave like that. He never wanted them to be killed. It is so sad. But I had to do it, to protect the sheep. I am Shepherd. My Father tells me, “Well done.”

Suddenly I realise Drozha is missing! I must find her. Quickly!
But flocks cannot move quickly. I pray. God shows me a circle of rocks nearby. Why had I not noticed? Had it really been there all along or had God just put it there because I needed it? I do not know. I trust God. I lead the sheep into the circle, then quickly run outside, rolling a large rock across the narrow opening. They will be safe while I search.

I search and search, then I hear her despairing cry. She had fallen down a little gully and was stuck. I pick her up and she snuggles into my arms with relief. She was scared that I would be angry. But I am so happy to have her back! I forgive her, soothing her with love. She is so precious. Besides, I feel that she has learnt her lesson and will not run away again.

She is exhausted, so I carry her back, and roll the stone away. The others gather around and welcome her back.

But we must keep moving. We still have miles to go before water. I must get them safely there. I am Shepherd. That is my job.
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This article has been read 533 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Naoma Bird
02/23/24
An interesting perspective from the shepherd's viewpoint. I like the comparisons of what Shepherd did for the sheep and what Jesus our Shepherd does for us, especially when we stray or are disobedient.
Em Bonja
02/29/24
This is so engaging. The love is woven through your account so beautifully. It was an intriguing, unusual way to approach the topic.
Em Bonja
02/29/24
And congrats on your Editor's Choice placement!
Loni Bowden-Horn 
02/29/24
This story was so engaging to read. You did a good job showing the compassion of the Shepherd in protecting the sheep

There was one sentence in the story that might have been tweaked to give it a better flow.

Sentence: "Then I grab a stone and bash it on the head. Hard."

Something like, "The shepherd hurled a stone with such force it crushed the wolf's skull."

Excellent job of describing the scenery and characters.

Congratulations on placing in the Editor's choice for this week.

Well Deserved!
Vince Martella
03/03/24
You have written an engaging story with clear parallels between your main character and Jesus, our Good Shepherd. As you level up, I would encourage you to spell check before submitting (smelt, learnt) Great job and congrats on your 1st place win!