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Good evening, little lambs. Tonight's story is called The Extra Flask by the Stream, inspired by the Gospel of Matthew twenty five to thirteen. Tonight, Jesus teaches us to get ready now, not at the last minute. In the Gospel of Matthew chapter twenty five, verses one through thirteen, he tells about friends who packed extra oil so they could go with him when he came. Extra love is like that. You grow it today. You cannot borrow it from a friend when the moment is already here. And so tonight we're on Shepherd's Hill, where a long, dry climb is coming, and the water flasks sit by the stream. The late sun was warm on the grass, the stream made a thin, bright sound over the stones. Five clay flasks stood in a row on the bank, their leather straps dusty. Jesus sat among the lambs. He looked at each of them as if that lamb were the only lamb in the meadow. When the time is right, we will climb the ridge, he said. The path is long and dry. I will share oat cakes at the top. I do not know how long we will wait first. Fill your flasks now, fill them all the way. Bring extra. Clover's blue scarf was neat. The green sprig behind her left ear stood up. She waited in. Cold water climbed her wool. She dipped her flask until it grew heavy. Then she filled the little extra bottle that hung beside it, and she corked both tight. Quiet, dark fleeced mat filled his slowly, so it would not slosh. Thistle, the wiry lamb with wool the color of dry grass, who last night had held the barn door so the lantern would not tip, while Jesus walked to Marigold's stock gate, filled his flask to the very top. A dry path is a real thing, he said. He did not sound mean, he sounded honest. Old Wooly's silver grey fleece shone. He filled his flask and sat as if he had all evening. Biskit's golden tuft bounced. She dipped her flask once. A little water went in. It still felt light. A green grasshopper clicked in the weeds. I'll fill it when he calls, Biskit said. It will only take a minute. She set the light flask in the grass and hopped after the grasshopper. The sky went peach, then purple. They waited. Old Wooly told a short story about a shepherd who packed water before the hill got steep. Clover's hooves stayed near her heavy flask. Biscuit's flask sat in the warm grass, almost empty. Then Jesus stood. Now, he said, The first star is up. Come. They took their flasks. Biscuit grabbed hers. It was light. She shook it, one tiny splash. Clover, pour me some of yours. Clover's sprig tipped. Her flask was heavy, but it was only enough for one lamb on a long dry climb. If she poured, both flasks would run out halfway, and both lambs would have to turn back. Jesus spoke in short, easy words. If she pours, neither of you will have enough, he said. The stream is still here. Fill yours, then come. Biscuit ran, her hooves struck dry dirt. She filled the flask all the way. She filled the extra bottle too. When she looked up, the others were already small on the path. She climbed, dust puffed, her legs burned. She reached the ridge out of breath. They were already sitting in a circle. The oat cakes smelled warm. Jesus had left a space of grass beside him. Biscuits sat. She had missed the walk, she had missed the first star coming out over the path. I wanted you on the path with me, Jesus said. That is why I said fill it before we wait. Extra water is for the long climb. Love works the same way. You pray today. You are kind today. You cannot borrow a friend's prayer at the last minute. Keep extra, so when I come you can walk with me the whole way. Biscuit's tuft was dusty now. Next time I will fill it first, she said. Even if I see a grasshopper. Jesus put an oat cake in her hoof. She was still welcome. The cake was still warm, and so tonight we learn to get ready now. Extra water in a flask, extra love in an ordinary day. Pray, be kind. Do not wait until the last minute, because some things cannot be borrowed when the climb has already started. What is one small thing you can get ready today? And who could you sit with so nobody has to run up the hill alone? Let's close our eyes now, safe on the green hill, held by the shepherd who wants us on the path with him. Jesus, help me get ready today. Help me pray and be kind so I can walk with you the whole way. Amen. Good night, little lamb. God loves you so much. Sweet dreams.