The Shepherd’s Song
In a quiet valley, a young girl named Ava helped her dad care for a flock of sheep. Each sheep had its own name, and Ava loved calling them.
But one day, a stranger came to the field who wanted to buy some of the sheep.
“I can take better care of your sheep,” he said. “Let me buy them, and I will lead them.”
Ava hesitated. Something didn’t feel right.
The stranger tried calling the sheep, but they didn’t move. Instead, they huddled close to Ava.
“Why won’t they listen?” he grumbled.
Just then, Ava’s dad arrived. He looked at the stranger and then softly called out, singing a gentle tune the sheep knew well.
Immediately, the sheep lifted their heads and followed his voice.
“They know my voice,” Dad said confidently. “And they trust it.”
The stranger left, a little annoyed.
That evening, Ava asked, “How do they know it’s you?”
Dad smiled. “Because I care for them every day. They know my voice brings them to safety.”
Ava thought about this as she watched the sheep rest peacefully.
The next morning, Ava tried calling them the same way her dad did. The sheep followed her happily.
“You’re learning,” Dad said. “When you care for others with love, they learn to trust you too.”
Ava beamed.
From then on, she understood that not every voice should be followed, but the ones filled with love, truth, and care are safe to trust.
Moral: Jesus is the Good Shepherd. His voice leads us to safety, and we can trust Him above all others.
Inspired by John 10:1-10 (The Good Shepherd).
