It was time then to feed the lamb, and the milk being sweet in the bottle, the lamb drank it greedily; and when he had drunk enough Jesus was tempted to drink what the lamb could not drink, for he was thirsty after eating his bread, but he went to the well and took a little water instead, and lay down, telling the lamb that he might sleep but a little while, for they must be ready at midnight to travel again.  If we meet a shepherd thou livest, if he fail us thou diest.  Jesus said, and seeing a shepherd leaving a cavern at dawn with his flock, Jesus called to him and bought milk from him and once more the twain continued their journey, the lamb becoming so dependent on the shepherd that Jesus took pleasure sometimes in hiding himself behind a rock, and as soon as the lamb missed him he would run to and fro bleating in great alarm till he found Jesus; and when he came upon him he thrust his nozzle into Jesus’ hand.

It was then more than at any time he delighted in being carried.  No, my good lamb, I’ve carried thee far and now can barely carry myself to the bridge; and the lamb had to follow to the bridge, and they began to ascend the terraces together, but the steep ascents very soon began to tire him, and the lamb lay down and bleated for Jesus to take him up in his arms, which he did, but, overcome with the weariness of a long journey, he had to lay him down after a few paces.  Yet he would not surrender the lamb to the brethren who came and offered to carry him, saying:  I have carried him so far and will carry him to the end, but ye must let me rest on your arms.  Meanwhile, fetch me a little milk, for the lamb has had all that I could buy from the shepherds on the hills, and do not ask how I became possessed of this lamb, for I am too tired to tell the story.  So did he speak, holding the lamb to his bosom; and leaning on the arm of one of the brethren while another pushed from behind, and in this exhausted state he reached the cenoby.

Now I must feed my lamb; go to Brother Amos and ask him to bring some ewe’s milk at once.  But the brethren were loath to go, saying:  Brother Amos is feeding his sheep far from here, but will return in the evening.  But the lamb must be fed every three or four hours, Jesus answered, and do ye go at once to Amos and tell him to bring the milk at once.  He must not be kept waiting for his milk.  Now look at him and say if any of ye have seen a finer lamb.  I can speak no more, but will sleep a little as soon as I have placed him in a basket.  But wake me up as soon the milk comes, for I will trust none to feed him but myself, and he dropped off to sleep almost on these words.