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On the way to completing your daily errands you happened upon an interesting story that Velka was telling to some children in front of the Buyan inns. Enthralled by her soft voice, you stopped to listen. "There was a small herd of wonderfully soft sheep that were tended by a nice shepherd. The flock had been well tended for many years by this family and were very close. A large meadow for them to play in, a fresh river for them to drink at, and every day the shepherd would go on long walks while the herd followed closely behind. The wooliest sheep would then enter a barn to be shaved." Velka told the children of the sheep and flashed you a cute smile inviting you to the story with a small gentle wave. Slightly reluctantly, you moved closer to the front. "There was one sheep in particular that was very smart for a sheep," Velka announced as she took your arm and pulled you forward. "This sheep was quiet, but so deeply thoughtful. Always letting the rest of the herd lead the way, being last to the meadow, last to the river, and last on the walks. Often daydreaming of the future." Velka's attention turned to you. "Tell us sheep! What kinds of things do you dream about?" Velka smiled at you with her big blue eyes piercing through you. You pause, stumbling a bit to find the words of a sheep. You felt Velka's hand rub your arm in comfort. "I dream about running in the fields." "Oh! You dream of a nice future!" Velka's passion poured out. "The next day the air was heavy. There was a stillness to the world and the shepherd looked upset. Carrying tools that the sheep had never seen before, tinted with red and a faint smell of iron. The shepherd was muttering to themselves unlike the sheep had ever seen." Velka again put her hand on your arm in comfort. "How do you feel sheepie?" "A bit worried." You respond. "I feel like we might be in danger. I think the shepherd isn't looking for our wool anymore". "The shepherd's family has looked after you for so long, do you not trust them?" Velka said comfortingly. "I'm not sure. I think the Shepherd has a lot more power than we do. It might be hard to trust someone like that..." You respond "Oh. That feels sad, doesn't it? Can you ever trust someone with that much power over you?" Velka asks. "Maybe. I donno I'm just a sheep!" You jokingly respond. "Ah, I understand." Velka gives you a wink. "The Shepherd begins their walk down the meadow and the sheep all begin to follow. Everything is slower. The shepherd's feet move heavier. Eventually, they arrived at a barn they hadn't been to before that had a terrible smell. One by one the sheep entered but unlike the other barn, they did not come out freshly shaved, they did not come out at all". Velka looked around at the puzzled faces of the children. Then turned to you. "You now find yourself as the last sheep, the final one to enter the barn. How do you feel?" "Nervous." You respond. "Why are you so nervous?" Velka questioned. "I think I am about to die." "How long have you felt that way?" Velka pushed again. You thought for a moment. "Since I woke up today." "But you said nothing, this whole time!" Velka accused you. "How did you let all these sheep go into the barn if you thought this?" "I didn't want to frighten them. What if I was wrong? What if they laughed at me for being silly?" Velka smiled gently. "And what if you were right?" "An important lesson here. You must speak what is on your mind, even if others may not agree, or see it the way you do. Sometimes you will be wrong, and sometimes you will be right. But if you allow the fear of being different to silence you, you deny yourself and everyone around you the opportunity to learn. In order to be free, you must be able to voice yourself. The good of the herd depends on it!" You left the group Velka was speaking to with some new considerations for holding your voice against the status quo, realizing that there may be danger worth avoiding. ~Velka | |