The Kindness of Sheep

In an ancient Scottish tradition, Sheep once had the gift of speech. Before They left for Paradise, Sheep asked the people not to burn their bones. Instead, when people killed One of Them give their bones to a diviner to read what They wanted to say to people.

When people think “Sheep”, they certainly do not think about Sheep guiding humans. Instead, people regard Sheep as conformists who following others without question. “Sheeple”, a portmanteau, was coined for placid groups following a dominant leader.

Because Sheep are prey Animals, They flock in huge numbers for safety. When a Predator appears, an Ewe will bark a warning to the Flock. Then Everyone flees zigzagging so They can see their backsides (and hence the danger) as They run. Because a downed Sheep is easy prey, Anyone in pain will keep on running.

Gregarious to a fault, They flock in groups of 100 individuals or more. Within each Flock are lots of families. Ewe will remain with her Mother’s group and work together as one unit.

Meanwhile when He are about two years old, Ram leaves his Mother’s flock. Separated by size and age, Ram will practice battling Other Rams by charging, pushing and shoving. To rule a Flock eventually, Ram needs to defeat his Competitor.

Domesticated about 9,000 years ago in the Middle East, Sheep quickly became important to people. Wool was the first commodity to be traded internationally. To fund the Spanish voyages to the New World, Queen Isabella used the income from the Spanish wool trade . In the 1700s, American colonists listed as one of the grievances against the British Crown, the prohibition to raise sheep for wool.

From the time of the Assyrians to today, Sheep have been a part of human civilization. Besides providing meat, milk, and fiber, Sheep are quite effective at pest and weed control. We may laugh at Sheep but we need Them in our lives. Look deeper and discover their kindness to us. Be kind to each other as Sheep are.0

Wisdom from Sheep Includes:
Support Each Other
Warmth and Comfort
Conformity

Science Notes:
1. Sheep are the Genus Ovis. This includes domestic, argali, bighorn, Dall’s, mouflon, and snow sheep. Barbary Sheep are the Genus Ammotragus.

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Copyright: Virginia Carper, Animal Teachers, 2008

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