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Once, in a small village nestled between mountains, lived an old shepherd named Ewan. Known as the wisest elder in the village, he was more than a keeper of sheep—he was a mentor, a counselor, and, in many ways, a leader. People came from all around to listen to his parables, which he often shared on quiet evenings as the sun dipped below the hills.
One evening, a young man named Kai, filled with the frustrations of life and burdened by responsibilities, came to Ewan. He sat beside him and asked, “Ewan, how do you carry the weight of all those lives in your hands? How do you bear the constant vigilance, day in and day out, knowing they depend on you?”
Ewan nodded, understanding the weight Kai was feeling. “Let me tell you a story,” he began.
“There was once a farmer with two sons. When he grew old, he divided his flock of sheep between them. To his eldest son, he gave half the sheep with the instruction to shepherd them as he saw fit. To the younger son, he gave the rest, with a different instruction. He told him to care for his flock as though each sheep were a family member, one whose life and well-being depended on him entirely.
At first, both sons managed well enough. But as seasons changed, the eldest son, who saw his sheep as nothing more than a means to profit, grew careless. He let his sheep graze in dangerous areas, exposed them to harsh weather, and neglected their health. Soon, his flock began to weaken, and he lost more sheep with each passing year.
The younger son, however, lived with his sheep like a family. He watched over them day and night, ensuring they had shelter and plenty of food, and even tended to the ones who fell sick. His herd grew stronger, and over time, his flock flourished, while his brother’s withered away.”
Ewan paused and looked at Kai. “Do you see? A true shepherd does not just keep his flock; he cares for them deeply. He is with them, through every hardship, always mindful of their needs.”
Kai listened, nodding slowly. “But, Ewan,” he asked, “what about those who lead others? How can they be a shepherd to so many?”
Ewan smiled gently, placing a reassuring hand on Kai’s shoulder. “Kai, the shepherd is but a reflection of any true leader, be they a father, a teacher, or a country’s ruler. Just as I care for my sheep, each of us has a flock, a group for whom we are responsible. A father has his family, a teacher has his students, a leader has their people, and they must all live with the awareness that their flock depends on them. It isn’t a burden but a calling. We are all shepherds, not merely to lead but to protect, to care, and to uplift.”
Kai felt a warmth wash over him, and the weight on his heart seemed to lift. He realized that his purpose, like the shepherd’s, was not simply to carry his own burden but to share in the joys and sorrows of those around him, offering strength and guidance where he could.
Ewan concluded, “Remember, Kai, the heart of a shepherd is not to control but to care. The world has many leaders, but only a few true shepherds. And so I tell you, we are all shepherds to our flocks. To lead with love, to guide with wisdom, and to shelter with devotion—this is the true calling of every leader.”
And with that, Kai left with a renewed spirit, understanding that his responsibilities were not burdens, but blessings—an opportunity to be a shepherd to his own flock.