Stating the Obvious

There once was a shepherd who had a large flock of sheep. He had been a shepherd for a long time but was growing weary of the profession. One very hot day, the shepherd sat below the branches of a scraggly bush trying to get relief from the sun. He was pondering about what to do with his sheep. He loved his sheep, but he was tired of caring for them.

As he sat there thinking, a wolf sauntered by in front of the shepherd.

“What are you doing?” asked the wolf.

“I’m trying to plan my future,” replied the shepherd. “I’m tired of being a shepherd, but I don’t know what to do with my sheep.”

“I have an idea,” suggested the wolf.

“What’s that?” asked the weary shepherd.

“Why don’t I watch your sheep for a day and then you can take a break. Perhaps after a break, you won’t feel so strongly about getting rid of your sheep.”

“That’s a great idea. You are in charge while I run into town,” said the shepherd and he skipped down the hill. He was excited about his new freedom.

Upon the shepherd’s return, he expected to see his herd flourishing. Instead he saw dead sheep everywhere. Stunned he sat down on a rock. A few of the sheep walked to his knee.

“This is what I get for my stupidity. It was I who chose to leave my sheep in the care of a wolf,” said the shepherd sadly.