There once was a shepherd with one hundred sheep. Whether on mountains high or in valleys deep the good shepherd watched and took care of them all. He’d be there to help if any should fall.
Each sheep was different, yes each one unique, some played guitar , others played ‘hide n’ seek .’ Some sheep were quiet while others were loud, some would do art, others danced for a crowd.
All those hundred sheep, though none were the same, the good shepherd loved and knew each one by name.
There would come a time at least once year that they sheep would come and be ready to shear. He would shear the wool off each sheep one by one and then let them, eat and play in the sun.
Some sheep were confused about their woolly loss. Did the shepherd just want to show them who was boss?
The wise sheep knew that despite the unrest, the good shepherd loved them and knew what was best.
Wilbur the sheep loved his coat soft and warm, he could run and hide so he wouldn’t be shorn.
The shepherd would call Wilbur day after day but Wilbur would just keep on running away.
The sheep that were shorn enjoyed feeling light and trusted the shepherd to do what was right. But Wilbur’s wool grew, things weren’t going too well, his coat got so dirty and started to smell.
Wilbur’s wool became heavy and his knees started shaking , it was such a weight that his back began aching.
He thought he would rest so he went and lay down but then couldn’t get himself up from the ground!
The good shepherd saw the sheep struggling there so he lovingly lifted up Wilbur with care.
He kindly asked Wilbur, “Can I shear you now?”
But Wilbur refused and gave him a scowl.
The wool grew so thick it soon covered his eyes. It looked like he was wearing some strange disguise!
Wilbur’s thick wool just kept growing and growing, and before long he couldn’t see where he was going!
He wandered aimlessly away from the flock and before too long he had quite a shock.
He was scared of heights and found himself still for there Wilbur stood on the edge of a cliff!
As Wilburn looked down at the rocks at his feet he slumped down in sadness and started to bleat,
“I wanted to keep my wool all to myself but this weight is too heavy and bad for my health! I’m tired, I’m hungry, I’m all on my own, I’m feeling so lost and I want to go home !”
Back in the field the good shepherd frowned for Wilbur the woolly was nowhere around. Then from up on the cliff he heard Wilburn call and ran to the lost sheep so he wouldn’t fall.
The shepherd then led Wilbur down the right track,
“My friend please let me take this load off your back. Can I shear you now Wilbur?” The good shepherd said.
The poor worn out Wilbur just nodded his head.
As wool was removed the whole world seemed much brighter, with each stroke of the shears his load became lighter.
The shepherd clipped Wilburn stroke after stroke, he patted him gently and lovingly spoke,
“Your beautiful wool is a blessing, it’s true but if you let it take over it weighs you down too! I’m here to protect you and help you stay clean, I do things to love you and not to be mean. Your lovely warm wool can bless others you see, and that is why you grown more than you need.”
Then off with a skip feeling so light and free he thought to himself, “Shepherds really loves me!”
So from that day on when it came shearing time Wilburn the Woolly was the first on in line.
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Written by: Nikki Rogers
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