It's not an easy life, I'll tell you that. I work my small farm during the day, but that doesn't bring in enough money. I have a family to support, taxes to pay — oy, don't get me started on taxes — so I need more than my farm brings in. I do the only other thing I know how to do. I hire myself out for the night shift watching other people's sheep. Tending sheep would not be my first choice, you understand. First, I have to stay awake all night. Then, there's counting the sheep to make sure one or two haven't wandered off. Thieves are always a problem. Wild animals, now that's what really scares me. I don't want them to get the sheep, but I sure don't want them to get me.

None of us could get by without sheep. Where else would we get the wool, the meat, the skins, even the horns? If sheep…