In the heart of the enchanting rolling hills, lived a shepherd boy. His existence was mostly untarnished, simple yet virtuous. His only responsibility was to care for his flock of ewes.
Their gentle baas and the murmuring of the gales among the lone tree on the hilltop were his only associates. Day upon day, watching over his wards inculcated in him a notion of tranquil contentment.
But, there were the occasional moments of loneliness, when the shepherd boy would long for company. In one such instance because of sheer boredom, the shepherd boy orchestrated a troublesome scheme.
Tales of predators hunting on sheep had been heard times and again in the hamlet. So, the boy opted to read more used this fear and played a trick on the villagers.
One afternoon he dashed into the village yelling “Wolf! A wolf is preying on my sheep!” The terrified villagers ran up the hills to help but saw no beast.
The boy chuckled at the dilemma on their faces. This prank laughed for a few more days. However, one noon, a real wolf did charge at the flock. The shepherd boy ran for help, shouting “Wolf, Wolf!” But this time, no one responded.
Frustrated and alone, the boy battled against the wolf but managed to protect only few of his flock. Devastated, he went back to the town only to receive a lesson on honesty and the results of crying wolf.
His tale of this shepherd boy has been passed down generations as a mediaeval parable for teaching the importance of honesty, the consequences of lying and the dangers of crying wolf. Moreover, it emphasizes how trust once broken, is hard to earn back. It's a story as relevant today as it was then.