Besides, the immense flock of sheep interested him at first.
His duties were simple.

By day he helped to guide the sheep gently to their feeding and in their search for water; by night he took his turn at guarding from wolves.

His sleep was broken often, even when not on guard.

They were such timid folk, these sheep; their fears passed easily into destructive precipitances.
But the night watch had its joys.

As the sunlight died out of the sky and the blazing stars filled the deep blue air above his head, the world grew mysterious and majestic, as well as menacing.