The explosions ruptured the evening calm as the flashes lit up the sky. The sheep tensed, but the thunderous assault was too much for Gastric. The goat bolted, his eyes dilated, his ears pinned back, the hair on his back bristled. Before Heidi could reach him, he hurled himself at the corner of the fence. The fence had been reinforced in preparation for the tumultuous evening, but it was no match for the full weight of the goat. The impact severed a fiberglass post, but before he could breach, Heidi seized his collar and hurled him back into the paddock under the shelter of the Oasis. A second volley was unleashed, spurring the remaining two goats to seek refuge. That made three goats in Heidi’s charge.
As the fireworks continued, the sheep huddled together, their nervous energy intensifying, gathering like a wave of wool about to surge over the fence. If even one ewe jumped, others would follow, the fence would be trampled, and their panicked frenzy would make it nigh impossible to contain them again. They lined up against the fence, legs stiffened, but before they could act, a voice called out above chaos:
“It’s okay…Stay calm…Take it easy…”
He spoke slowly, elongating his words, his pitch rising and falling rhythmically, as if the undulation could physically lower their heightened nerves.
“There you go…Get away from the fence…That’s a good girl!”
Continuing his lulling reasurement, Ben paced the south-facing fence, studying the flock for any cues of a jumper. The fireworks were launching from the north. A ewe approached the east fence, the fixation of her gaze revealing her intent. Ben vaulted the fence, positioning himself opposite her, blocking her destination. At his presence, she backed away and rejoined the flock. Ben returned to his pacing.
A firework exploded behind him, lighting up the sky from the south. They were being flanked, the assaults coming from both sides in alternating volleys. The sheep rushed towards the east fence. Again Ben cut off their escape. The sheep retreated to the south. Ben followed. Back and forth they went, the routine gradually steadying their nerves.
After nearly two hours of pacing, calming, sheltering, and containing, the fireworks ceased. The two shepherds, spent as they were, decided to move the goats to a hard-walled pen. Milkaya was moved first, her screams disrupting the fragile peace as Heidi relocated her away from the flock. She calmed when she was joined by her mother, Ruminetta, and lastly by Gastric.
After double-checking the fence, the two farmers trodded wearly to their home. As they went, Ben reflected on the sheep’s behavior — the way they both trusted and feared him. A verse came to mind:
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27.
And then he thought of a second verse:
“…and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” Matthew 25:32.