He looked at her most kindly, but answered quietly, “Much-Afraid, I could do what you wish. I could carry you all the way up to the high places myself, instead of leaving you to climb there. But if I did, you would never be able to develop hinds’ feet and become my companion and go where I go. If you will climb to the heights this once with the companions I have chosen for you, (Her companions were Sorrow and Suffering. Sigh….) even though it may seem a very long, and in some places a very difficult journey, I promise you that you will develop hinds’ feet.”

“Afterward you will be able to go with me, ‘leaping on the mountains,’ and be able to make the ascent and the descent in the twinkling of an eye.”

pp.62-63

“Whenever you are willing to obey me, Much-Afraid, and to follow the path of my choice, you will always be able to hear and recognize my voice, and when you hear it you must obey. Remember also that it is always safe to obey my voice, even if it seems to call you to paths which look impossible or even crazy.”

p. 93

“O Shepherd, you said you would make my feet like hinds’ feet and set me upon mine high places.”

“Well,” he answered cheerily, “the only way to develop hinds’ feet is to go by the paths which the hinds use – like this one.”

Much-Afraid trembled and looked at him shamefacedly. “I don’t think – I want – hinds’ feet if it means I have to go on a path like that,” she said slowly and painfully.

The Shepherd was a very surprising person. Instead of looking either disappointed or disapproving, he actually laughed again. “Oh, yes you do,” he said cheerfully. I know you better than you know yourself, Much-Afraid. You want it very much indeed, and I promise you these hinds’ feet. Indeed, I have brought you on purpose to the back side of the desert, where the mountains are particularly steep and where there are no paths but the tracks of deer and of the mountain goats for you to follow, that the promise may be fulfilled. What did I say to you the last time we met?”

“You said, ‘Now shalt thou see what I will do,'” she answered, and then looking at him reproachfully, added, “But I never dreamed you would do anything like this! Lead me up to an impassable precipice up which nothing can go but deer and goats, when I am no more like a deer or a goat than is a jellyfish. It’s too – It’s too – ” She fumbled for words, and then burst out laughing. “Why it’s too preposterously absurd! It’s crazy! What will you do next?”

The Shepherd laughed too. “I love doing preposterous things,” he replied. “Why, I don’t know anything more exhilarating and delightful than turning weakness into strength, and fear into faith, and that which has been marred into perfection. If there is one thing more than another which I should enjoy doing at this moment it is turning a jellyfish into a mountain goat. That is my special work….”

pp. 126-127