Jesus told a story like this.

The shepherd had one hundred sheep. Every evening he counted them. One, two, three, all the way to a hundred.

That evening he counted again. Ninety-seven. Ninety-eight. Ninety-nine. And he stopped.

One was missing.

The little sheep had wandered just a little way. She was there in the tall grass, not far at all. Baa, she said softly. Baa.

The shepherd left the ninety-nine in the field. He went to look for the little one. He walked slowly, in no hurry, calling as he went.

One was missing.

And then he found her. There she was, quiet among the flowers. The shepherd smiled and lifted her up with care. He laid the little sheep on his shoulders and carried her home.

At home he called his friends and his neighbors:

— Be glad with me. I have found my little sheep.

And everyone was glad.

The shepherd counted once more. One, two, three, all the way to a hundred. Now no one was missing.

That was the story Jesus told.

The little sheep slept close and warm. Hush. Everything is quiet now. Sleep well, little one. Good night.