COURTSHIP IS NEVER A CAUGHT SHEEP.

Lila had always dreamed of becoming a shepherdess. She loved the idea of living in the countryside, surrounded by nature and animals. She had read many books and stories about shepherds and shepherdesses, and she admired their courage, wisdom, and kindness. She especially liked the stories where the shepherdess would fall in love with a handsome and brave shepherd, who would protect her and her flock from wolves and bandits.

Lila's parents, however, did not share her enthusiasm. They were city dwellers, who valued education, career, and money more than anything else. They wanted Lila to go to college, get a degree, and find a well-paying job in the city. They thought that being a shepherdess was a foolish and outdated occupation, that would only bring hardship and poverty to Lila.

Lila tried to convince them otherwise, but they would not listen. They had already arranged for her to attend a prestigious university in the capital, where she would study business administration. They had also found a suitable match for her, a young man named Ethan, who was the son of their wealthy and influential friends. Ethan was smart, handsome, and successful, but he was also arrogant, selfish, and boring. Lila did not like him at all, but she had no choice but to accept her parents' decision.

Lila felt trapped and unhappy. She wanted to follow her heart and pursue her passion, but she did not want to disappoint or disobey her parents. She wondered if there was any way out of this dilemma.

One day, she decided to take a walk in the park near her home. She needed some fresh air and some time alone to think. As she was walking, she saw a flock of sheep grazing on the grass. She was surprised and curious. She had never seen sheep in the city before. She approached them cautiously, hoping to get a closer look.

She noticed that there was a young man sitting on a bench nearby, watching the sheep. He had blond hair, blue eyes, and a friendly smile. He wore a simple shirt, jeans, and boots. He looked like he belonged to the countryside, not the city.

He saw Lila approaching and greeted her warmly.

"Hello there," he said. "Do you like sheep?"

Lila nodded shyly.

"Yes, I do," she said. "They are so cute and fluffy."

The young man smiled.

"I'm glad you think so," he said. "They are my sheep."

Lila gasped.

"Your sheep?" she repeated. "But how? Why?"

The young man explained.

"My name is Leo," he said. "I'm a shepherd from a small village in the mountains. I came here to visit my cousin, who lives in the city. He works at the park as a gardener. He let me bring my sheep here for a few days, so they can enjoy some fresh grass and water."

Lila was amazed.

"That's incredible," she said. "You must love your sheep very much."

Leo nodded.

"I do," he said. "They are my family and my friends. I take care of them and they take care of me."

Lila felt a surge of admiration for Leo.

"That's wonderful," she said. "You must be very happy."

Leo shrugged.

"I am," he said. "But sometimes I get lonely."

Lila felt a pang of sympathy for Leo.

"Why?" she asked.

Leo sighed.

"Because I don't have anyone to share my life with," he said. "I don't have a girlfriend or a wife."

Lila felt a spark of interest for Leo.

"Really?" she asked.

Leo nodded.

"Really," he said. "It's hard to find someone who understands me and my lifestyle. Most girls in my village are either married or engaged already. And most girls in the city are not interested in me or my sheep."

Lila felt a connection with Leo.

"I understand," she said. "I have the same problem."

Leo looked at her with curiosity.

"You do?" he asked.

Lila nodded.

"I do," she said. "I love sheep too, but my parents don't approve of it."

She told him about her situation, how she wanted to be a shepherdess but her parents wanted her to go to college and marry Ethan.

Leo listened attentively and empathetically.

"That's terrible," he said. "You should follow your dreams, not your parents' wishes."

Lila smiled sadly.

"I wish I could," she said. "But I don't know how."

Leo took her hand gently.

"Maybe I can help you," he said.

He looked into her eyes with sincerity and affection.

"Lila, I like you," he said. "You are smart, kind, and beautiful. You have a passion for sheep and a spirit of adventure. You are the girl of my dreams."

He paused and took a deep breath

"Lila, will you run away with me?" he asked.

Lila felt a rush of emotion. She liked Leo too. He was brave, honest, and handsome. He had a love for sheep and a sense of freedom. He was the boy of her dreams.

She looked into his eyes with trust and excitement.

"Leo, yes," she said. "I will run away with you."

They hugged and kissed passionately.

They packed their bags and left the city with the sheep. They went to Leo's village in the mountains, where they got married and lived happily ever after.

They became the best shepherds and shepherdesses in the land. They had many children and grandchildren, who also loved sheep and nature.

They never regretted their decision. They knew that courtship was never a caught sheep, but a choice of love and happiness. 🐑❤️