The Sheep who was a Dog

Once upon a time a sheep complained to the shepherd that he was being treated like a sheep, but that he was really a dog. “I am expected to provide wool and lambs and milk, but this is not who I really am. I feel like a dog, I identify as a dog and it is basic politeness to refer to people as they refer to themselves.”

And so the shepherd and the rest of the flock began to refer to the sheep as a dog because they strove to be compassionate, accepting and polite.

But the sheep was not satisfied. She was not treated in all ways like the dog whose job it was to guard the flock. “I am a dog, and I wanted to be treated in all ways like a dog. Today I will be the one to guard the flock, the other dog should stay home and rest.”

Because the flock and the shepherd wished to support the sheep, all agreed to this suggestion. 

But the sheep was not a dog, and did not have the skills to keep the flock together. While the shepherd napped, several sheep were lost. Then a wolf came upon the flock and made a mighty feast of the sheep that was not really a dog.

The wise recognize the limits of politeness.

German Manuscript, 1472