Adele's Stories

I leaned against my staff, running my fingers absentmindedly along the verses I had carved into it, while I watched my flock. The wolf attack had severely impaired us. I managed to save most of the flock while barely making it out with my own life. But the flock’s numbers were still sorely depleted. I prayed fervently that what we had would be enough to get us through the year.

I recited the verses as I ran my hands over them and was comforted, if only a little. It was enough to get me going at least. We’d been in this plain long enough. It was time to move on to the meadow. I gathered my flock and began to lead them through the rocks and boulders. We hadn’t been to the meadow since the attack, weeks ago. It was time.

It didn’t take long for the rocks to begin to thin out and it wasn’t much longer before the meadow opened up before us. The green grass stretched for miles, shining like emeralds under the sun. The creek that normally flows beside it had turned to a still stream. I didn’t remember the meadow being this beautiful before the attack. It was like it had changed somehow. 

I set my sheep free to graze while I sat beside the stream. A breeze stirred gently, coaxing me to rest. I laid down with my eyes still on my sheep and the babbling of the stream in my ears. 

My mind turned to the Lord in this quiet moment and I thanked him for this moment of peace and prayed for blessings for my flock. As the breeze brushed my cheek I imagined it was the hand of God sending me comfort. 

By the time the sun began to go down, and my flock finished their grazing, I felt refreshed. Restored even. 

I gathered my sheep again, knowing we needed to get home before dark. As we left the meadow and the rocks closed in about us, it was as if the darkness closed in about us as well. I could hear my sheep bleating their fear and saw their trembling bodies. I felt the grip of fear squeezing my own chest, but I knew I needed to remain calm, as my sheep would seek my solace and protection.  

As the darkness continued to creep in we could hear creatures surrounding us, their heavy breathing penetrating our ear and their claws scraping on the rocks. A light growl came from my right. Fearing my death was near I called to the Lord. 

As my prayer drifted away on the breeze a light appeared ahead of us, as if guiding our way. I steered my sheep toward the light and I saw them relax as they fixed on it. The longer we followed the light the more I felt my fear dissipating and I knew God was with me. The light was His. 

Soon the darkness receded and the rocks began to disperse. The flock was finally at ease now that they knew we neared home. I couldn’t help feeling the hope from the day as well, as the house came into sight before me. A light shining in the window.