I was out with my flock grazing on the new meadow fresh with lush green grasses, that exist in abundance for now. Our Shepherd led us to this bountiful meadow for our frolicking pleasure. I ran up the hills, and enjoyed the warmth of the sun. I was watching the breezes roll over the grasses in waves, and thinking it was so beautiful. I was content in my own little world, until I spotted the inviting little water hole over there. It was so sparkly and looked quite refreshing, I then realized I was parched from all the running around. I became very thirsty and I just needed a drink from that spot over there. Besides, it would also provide some good shade as it has two over sized trees just before it. So I did it, I wandered away from our meadow over to the water hole. I lowered my head down to the water and I began lapping it up. Yep, I was very thirsty. The water was perfectly cool, and the as the water rolled down my throat it was so soothing, it was hypnotic. I decided to lay down a for awhile near the water hole and relax. I was just looking at my reflection in the water, admiring my superior white coat that is kept spotless by my Shepherd and I must have drifted off. For as soon as I was back to my conscious state again it was dark. I was disoriented, and frightened. I had been left! It was dark! I was alone! I started to whimper and I heard some voices bounce off the breeze, they were beckoning me. I wasn't alone! I took one more drink from the water and walked around toward the voices. They were so sweet and melodic, like a lullaby. My father and my flock must be just over there. I was so eager to get back to them I started running toward the voices, and they abruptly stopped. So I came to a halt. I still do not know where I am, and I do not see my Shepherd or my flock. I am alone! Oh no! I am not alone. I hear the branch above me creaking with stress from something moving along it. Something big, and quiet. Except for the hiss. I dare not make a sudden move, what else is out here? Where am I? I am lost! I take a few steps here and there wishing to get away from the serpent in the tree. I stepped on some loose sticks on the ground and they cracked, loudly for the time of night, it sent shivers through my spine. Every noise is magnified in the dark especially, when you are trying to be quiet. I feel my superior white coat getting marked up and dingy. My Shepherd will be so disappointed. I feel something watching me intently, it is not too far off. It is somewhere slightly behind me. I feel like it is getting ready to pounce on me. What is it, a lion? If it is, I will surely be his meal if the serpent does not get to me first. I know that serpent is waiting for me too. It is waiting to launch it poisonous fangs into me and paralyze me. It will then wrap me up as if to comfort me, like he did not mean to bite me and cause me pain. He will swaddle me like a baby, and as I can no longer fight it due the venom, he will start to squeeze me tighter little by little until he crushes any hope I have left. After that, he will proceed to devour me. Oh and the lion, he keeps darting around in the shadows and I haven't quite spotted him. This of course, is a part of his tactic. He loves the element of surprise. I will then be to overcome with confusion to be effective in any way, to efficiently escape this silent predator. At least with the serpent I can hear his constant hiss, he cannot help that. I become very still, a peace overcomes me because my father knows I am worried and frightened. I open my eyes and there is a massive rock set before me. It is calling me by name. There are multiple ledges. I am no longer afraid, I have peace. I have temporarily forgotten about the lion's and the serpent's desire to have me. I step up onto the first ledge and I hear the hiss under my feet. He has hit me with his massive head, and has become so angry he attacks the rock on which I stand, bruising it's heel. I feel the rock move gently under me, it has crushed the serpent's head. The lion is intently circling the massive rock with it's preying eyes on me. He approached swiftly, and rounded the rock only to rub up against it, as if the rock was giving him a good longing scratch. He purred as if to give thanks. He laid himself down next to the rock, while I still stood perched on the first ledge. I never felt any need to move further out of danger once I was on that rock and watched all that transpired. The serpent will not be coming back to get me, and the lion is now my protector. The lion and the lamb sleep in peace next to each other now. We are now family. I woke to the lion nudging me and looking to the direction I must return. It is morning and the beams from the sun are shining brightly down on me. I am back in the meadow, and my coat is a superior white. I am with my Shepherd and my flock. I am no longer lost. My Shepherd is not disappointed in me. He bends down and pats me on the head and says, "there you are my child, let's go get some water."
