Chapter 19: The Tale of Dally, the Delegating Sheepdog
In a meadow surrounded by rolling hills, there lived a sheepdog named Dally. She had fluffy white fur, sharp ears, and a wagging tail that showed how much she loved her job. Dally was in charge of a flock of playful sheep, and she took her responsibilities very seriously.
Every day, Dally ran from sunrise to sunset. She barked orders to the sheep, chased away sneaky foxes, mended fences, and even fetched water for the lambs. The other animals admired her hard work. “Dally is amazing!” said Duck. “She does everything!”
But Dally didn’t feel amazing. By the time the stars twinkled, she was so tired her paws could barely carry her to bed.
One morning, while Dally was struggling to fix a fence, Old Owl flew down and perched on a fence post.
“Good morning, Dally,” Owl hooted. “You’re up early again.”
Dally sighed. “There’s too much to do, Owl! If I don’t do it, no one else will. And what if they mess it up?”
Old Owl tilted his head. “Hmm, Dally, have you ever thought about letting the others help?”
“Help? Oh, Owl, you don’t understand. Duck gets distracted, Goat is too clumsy, and Chickens—well, they’d rather peck at seeds than do real work!”
Owl chuckled. “Even the best leaders need a little help. Delegating isn’t about losing control; it’s about sharing the load. Give them a chance, and you might be surprised.”
Dally thought about Owl’s words all day. Could the others really help?
That evening, she gathered all the meadow animals together. “Listen up, everyone,” Dally said, wagging her tail nervously. “I’ve been trying to do everything on my own, but I think we could get more done if we work as a team. Would you like to help?”
Duck quacked excitedly. “I’d love to! I could lead the sheep to the pond for water.”
Goat bleated, “I can keep the barn tidy. I’ve got a knack for moving hay bales!”
Even the Chickens flapped their wings. “We’ll guard the seeds from the crows!”
At first, Dally felt uneasy. Duck got lost on the way to the pond, Goat spilled a whole bucket of water, and the Chickens argued about who should watch the crows. “This isn’t working,” Dally muttered to herself.
But then she remembered Owl’s advice. She took a deep breath and showed everyone how to do their tasks properly. “Duck, here’s a shortcut to the pond. Goat, let’s stack the hay together this time. And Chickens, let’s take turns watching for crows.”
Little by little, the animals got better. Duck learned the pond path by heart. Goat made the barn sparkle. The Chickens became expert crow-watchers. And Dally? She finally had time to play with the lambs and nap under her favorite tree.
One day, as the meadow buzzed with teamwork, Old Owl flew down again. “Well, Dally, how does it feel to have helpers?”
Dally smiled. “It feels wonderful, Owl. The sheep are happy, the barn is clean, and I’m not so tired anymore. You were right—sharing the load makes everything better.”
Owl hooted with pride. “Remember, Dally, a great leader doesn’t do all the work. A great leader helps others shine.”
From that day on, Dally and her friends worked as a team, making the meadow a happier, brighter place for everyone.
Fast forward to today and Dally knows that sharing responsibilities isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a way to build trust, teamwork, and joy. When we let others help, we grow stronger together.