The title is the first clue as to the genre of this story: sheep!
But in this twenty-first century world sheep are likely a relatively unfamiliar species to most readers. Let's take a quick look at the history of these fascinating creatures.
Sheep, the Ovis Aries species, first appeared in Mesopotamia around 3000 BC. From there they became trade animals heading to North Africa and Europe. The sheep were first immortalized in about 500 BC in poems and writings by Greeks like Virgil and Columelia and others. By then the sheep being raised there exceeded 10,000 as wool became a keen and valued trading instrument.
Spanish Churro sheep came to America with Christopher Columbus in 1492. Then appearing in South Africa and the Cape Fat Tail sheep on to Australia. Where, by mid-1800's, OZ was counting over 30,000 woolies. One sheep produced over 4.5 kg per year. This amount then produced 6 sweaters, 3 suits & trousers, and enough woolen fabric to cover a very large sofa. Then there was meat like mutton, chops, leg of lamb, and of course milk. While it is healthy and easier to digest, it is seasonal and has taken modern dairy science to perfect
Cheeses from the rich sheep's milk are delicacies like Feta, Romano, Roquefort, and the generic "Goat cheese". And to keep our skin clean and soft, a wide variety of good smelling soaps made from sheep's milk.
But as this SciFi assisted tale reveals, sheep were often used for other activities, activities that were frowned upon by their Creator. This work of fiction takes wide liberties to present what many feel to be a plausible, compassionate and divine story transformation of this maligned specie.
Plus, you get to meet some very interesting personalities along the journey. Enjoy!
The Author graduated from a small church-affiliated College, a major State University and has studied at several Ivy League and foreign Universities. "Academic study helps to 'balm' my obsessive curiosity and direct me to strange expeditions and interesting people doing interesting things in interesting places". He has held Executive positions with major international research firms and continues to be sought for his opinions abd media quotes.
And as Jim Williams told John Berendt in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, one of Jim Williams' real Lawyers said to The Author "I really did like your book".
He currently resides on a Mountain Top in Tennessee, alone, save for the ghosts from his past adventures.
