Keep Your Heart as Light as a Feather

a discussion guide for the ideas found in

THE BOOK OF THE SHEPHERD

by The Scribe, As discovered by Joann Davis

Download the Entire Reading & Discussion Guide

EXCERPT:

Questions for Chapter One: THE LAW MUST BE OBEYED

1. When his son oversleeps and arrives late to market, the merchant explodes in a blind rage. Have you ever completely lost your temper? When? Why? And did it serve any purpose? How did you feel later? How did others around you feel? What techniques do you have for controlling your anger? Is blind rage ever justified?

2. Seeing the merchant beat his son makes some people chant for more violence. What does it mean to be "carried away" by the crowd? Are your emotions ever hijacked? What techniques do you have for preventing this from happening?

3. The shepherd's first impulse, when he sees the merchant whipping the boy, is to stop the violence. But he hesitates. Have you ever second guessed yourself? How did you feel about your action or inaction later?

4. The law in the shepherd's world permits the taking of an eye for an eye. Do you believe there is any place for extremely harsh punishment?