He leaned back against the tree and watched the crowds move past. They all looked so young. He smiled a bit as he thought about how young he had been that first time he brought his flocks here to sell. That had been, what, seventy years ago? Maybe eighty? The journey from home to the market hadn’t changed any, but it sure felt like it had. He couldn’t remember ever feeling this tired. He looked down at his campfire and wondered if this would be his last trip; the last time he would make the long journey to bring his flocks and sit under the big oak tree.

When he looked up, he noticed the three men slowly walking past. Although they were younger than him, they looked about as tired as he felt. He raised his arm and waved them over. The three men nodded, put down their heavy bags, and sat on …