A flock of sheep grazed contentedly in a lush meadow where verdant grass swayed in the gentle breeze. One day, the sheep's peaceful existence was interrupted by the arrival of a cunning Wolf, his gray fur gleaming in the sunlight. With honeyed words and promises of protection, the Wolf beguiled the unsuspecting sheep.
"Dear friends," said he, "I have come to offer you my strength and vigilance. Under my watch, no harm shall befall you."
The sheep, naive and trusting, welcomed the Wolf as their guardian. Little did they know that behind his toothy grin lay a heart of malice. As night fell, the Wolf led the flock away from their familiar pastures, spinning tales of greener grass and sweeter water that lay ahead.
Days passed, and the sheep found themselves in a barren wasteland, the sun beating mercilessly upon their backs. The promised paradise was a mirage, and the flock's numbers dwindled as thirst and hunger took their toll.
As hope waned and despair set in, a border collie with a coat as black as night and eyes bright with intelligence chanced upon the suffering flock. With gentle barks and nudges, the collie gathered the weakened sheep and guided them to a hidden valley.
Here, crystal streams flowed between banks of lush grass, and the air was cool and sweet. Under the collie's watchful eye, the sheep regained their strength and flourished. Peace reigned once more, and the flock grew in number and contentment.
But their tranquility was short-lived. Having discovered the loss of Wolf's prey, the Wolf returned with renewed cunning. He prowled the valley's edges, his yellow eyes gleaming with envy and greed.
Seeing that the flock had prospered, the Wolf devised a new scheme. He approached the sheep, his voice dripping with false concern.
"My dear friends," he crooned, "I see you have found a new protector. But can you truly trust this border collie? I hear whispers that the black and brown sheep plot to seize control, leaving the white sheep to perish."
Though most of the flock knew better, the Wolf's words sowed doubt. The white sheep, their fleece glowing in the sunlight, began to eye their darker brethren with suspicion.
"Remember how I cared for you before," the Wolf continued, conveniently forgetting the hardships he had caused. "I can protect you far better than this stranger."
Despite the majority's wish to remain with the border collie, fear and mistrust spread like wildfire. The white sheep, now a vocal minority, convinced the others that the Wolf's protection was their only salvation.
The flock drove away the loyal border collie with heavy hearts, who departed with sorrowful eyes. No sooner had the collie disappeared over the horizon than the Wolf revealed his true nature again.
With a snarl, he rounded up the black and brown sheep, trading them to a nearby farmer for his gain. Then, with cruel laughter, he led the remaining white sheep back into the desert, where his pack waited to feast.
As the sheep trudged through the burning sand, their bleats of regret echoed across the dunes. They longed for the fabulous valley and the gentle guidance of the border collie, but it was too late. Their folly had led them to this fate, and they learned, at a high cost, that appearances can deceive and that unity is strength.
And so, the sheep who had twice trusted the Wolf found themselves facing a bitter end, wishing they had heeded the lessons of the past and valued the true friendship they had so carelessly cast aside.