My Take Tuesday: Sheep and Stoicism

Sheep can be stubborn. I learned this firsthand as a child while trying to herd our small flock of ewes to a nearby pasture. The distance was short—just about a hundred yards—but the task proved anything but simple. As soon as I turned them out, chaos erupted. The sheep scattered in every direction, ignoring my efforts entirely. When the dust settled, I found myself lying on my back, covered in sheep snot, staring up at the blue sky. Not a single sheep had made it to the intended pasture. Instead, they were all over town.

Shortly after this debacle, my great-uncle, Boyd Bott, shared a simple yet profound lesson: “You can’t herd sheep. You have to lead them.” It’s a lesson I have never forgotten.

With a pail of grain in hand, leading the sheep became effortless. Instead of resisting, they eagerly followed wherever I went. From that moment on, moving the flock was no longer a battle—it was easy.

Sheep have an instinct to follow. When one decides to move, the rest of the flock usually falls in line, even if the path is unwise. Humans are remarkably similar. It’s no coincidence that, throughout the Bible, people are often compared to sheep. We resist when pushed but follow when led.

There is no better teacher of patience than a small herd of sheep. They demand attention, protection, and care.

So the next time you feel frustration creeping in, consider leading instead of pushing—guiding instead of forcing. More often than not, it yields a far better outcome.

And that is my take.

N. Isaac Bott, DVM

(Photo: Dr. Bott holding a newborn lamb on his family farm, 1985.)