Dear Mr. Shepherd

Dear Mr. Shepherd,

Sheep do not recognize you as a shepherd simply because you were born on a sheep farm to a family of shepherds.

Sheep do not recognize you as a shepherd simply because you went to Shepherd University and earned an advanced degree in sheepherding.

Sheep do not recognize you as a shepherd simply because you spend your days in the field.

Sheep do not recognize you as a shepherd simply because you know grasslands like the back of your hand.

Sheep do not recognize you as a shepherd simply because you protect and feed them at great expense to yourself.

Sheep do not recognize you as a shepherd simply because you know the anatomy, physiology and psychology of sheep.

Sheep do not recognize you as a shepherd simply because you comment daily on sheep forums or read dozens of articles about sheep.

Sheep recognize you as a shepherd when you speak with authority, raise your rod, and demand compliance in an act of unbridled dominance. It’s not what you know or where you came from that matters; it’s what you do with what you know and where you’re leading that brings the lambs into the fold.

If you can’t or won’t be a wolf in sheep’s clothing, at least be a shepherd.

Very sincerely,

~ Thatch