Luminous Parade

The parade was famous for its three splendid riders, though no one remembered the sheep beneath them. It carried their costumes, instruments and endless stories from town to town. Whenever it slowed, they called, ‘The audience is waiting!’ One evening the sheep sat down in the middle of the road. There was no rebellion, no speech.

It simply refused to take another step. The riders tried singing, bargaining and giving orders. At last they climbed down.

Walking felt awkward at first, but soon they heard the smaller sheep, the grass underfoot and one another’s unamplified voices. They entered the next town beside their companion, not on top of it. Strangely, that became the most luminous parade anyone had ever seen.