The Lost Shepherd
Once upon a time in the tranquil hills of Macquarie, lived a young shepherd named George Sullivan. George didn’t have many possessions, just a herd of sheep, that was his only family.
Every dawn, George escorted his flock of sheep to the pastures, whilst a crackling hint of sunrise licked the surrounding hills. He spent his whole day beside the stream, under an old sycamore tree, watching over his grazing sheep. The stream was George's comfort, with its flowing, gentle serenade acting as the soundtrack to his mundane life.
He had a fiercely protective canine companion named Max, an old Collie with steadfast loyalty. Max had a keen sense for danger - his senses had saved George’s flock from predators on many occasions.
One afternoon, in the fading magnificence of sunset, George realised the absence of a single sheep from his herd. With an inhabitable fear twisting his heart, George decided to venture into the never-explored eerie forest that kissed the foot of his hill.
The forest was dense, filled with unfamiliar sounds and shadows that played tricks on George's weary eyes. Strangled by fear and bewilderment, he called out for his lost sheep, his pleas only answered by the mocking echoes.
As he pressed on, his foot scrapped against something hard under a pile of fallen leaves. It was a beautifully carved stone idol, it was of an old deity of protection and guidance worshipped by the ancient villagers. Seeing it as a ray of hope he decided to pray in his desperate situation.
With every passing moment, his worries seemed to lessen. As if responding to his prayers, Max began barking excitedly, his tail wagging with joy. The distant bleats of his lost sheep brought undeniable relief to George. He found his sheep unharmed, just a little scared.
Upon their return home, George placed the idol in his pasture as a gratitude for guiding him in his darkest hours. From then on, each day began with a small prayer and gratitude stared at the idol and more joy was found in simple grazing and the harmonious rhythm of life.
As the days passed, other shepherds noticed the peace that George's herd dwelled in. Observing the idol in his pasture, they too started praying, placing similar idols in their pastures. The valley transformed into a harmonious site where every living being coexisted peacefully.
The legend of the idol spread across the land and the once-abandoned deity became an emblem of protection and guidance across Macquarie. George continued his life as a shepherd but was no longer considered ordinary.
The young man’s faith had not just helped him find his lost sheep, but had also woven together a shambled community. His simple action illuminated a beacon of harmony, faith and unity, making the shepherd known as the saviour of Macquarie. The tale was passed through the generations, a reminder that faith could carve paths through the darkest jungles and the most challenging phases of life are often keys that unlock the door to miracles.