Lambing...the story in extras

I'm lucky enough to know a farmer who knows farmers. He took me to a mate's lambing shed this morning and I watched a story unfold. The ewe was only carrying one lamb. A runt  lamb, the third born of another ewe was waiting in the wings (hay bales), As soon as the ewe's labour began, the runt was on standby with back and front legs tied together. As labour progressed, it began to look as though the ewe needed help. It was at hand. The midwife stepped in, delivered the single lamb and put it to the side. The runt was covered in afterbirth, rolled around with the birth lamb and both were offered to the ewe. She sniffed, recognised the smells and licked both lambs clean. When the birth lamb stood up, the runt's legs were untied and he stood up too. The ewe  was the proud mother of two lambs. Our farmers do an amazing job! No drama, just getting on with the job at the end of a 12 hour night shift, swiftly and calmly.   I've read and heard about this practice to save weak lambs. To witness it unfold is amazing.