Sheep give birth at night. Always at night. So in March-April, children sleep in the barn — in shifts, with a lantern, beside the sheep.

Child's Job

Watch. If sheep births normally — don't interfere. If lamb comes wrong (feet first, or two at once) — run for father. Father comes, rolls up sleeves, helps. By morning — new lamb. Wet, shivering, standing in 10 minutes.

Lesson

Amish children see birth and death from age 5-6. Not on screen — live. Lamb born — joy. Lamb died (happens) — sorrow, but not tragedy. Life = thus.