Deep within the captivating rolling meadows, resided a shepherd boy. His existence was essentially unadulterated, simple yet virtuous. His only responsibility was essentially to care for his flock of sheep.
Their soft bleating and the murmuring of the breezes across the lone tree on the mountaintop were his main companions. Day after day, looking out for his wards imbued in him a feeling of tranquil contentment.
But, there were the occasional moments of isolation, when the shepherd boy would long for companionship. During one such occasion out of sheer tedium, the shepherd boy conceived a mischievous plot.
Tales of wild beasts prowling on sheep The shepherd boy story had been heard times and again in the town. So, the boy decided to exploit this fear and played a trick on the villagers.
One day he raced into the village shouting “Wolf! There is a wolf that has taken my sheep!” The scared villagers sprinted up the hills for rescue but found nothing threatening.
The boy laughed at the confusion on their faces. This game continued for a couple of more days. But, one morning, a real wolf did attack the herd. The shepherd boy raced for aid shouting “Wolf, Wolf!” But this time, no one showed up.
Frustrated and alone, the boy fought against the wolf but managed to rescue only few of his flock. Devastated, he went back to the village only to be met with a reprimand on honesty and the results of crying wolf.
The tale of this shepherd boy has been transmitted generations as a mediaeval parable for teaching the value of honesty, the consequences of lying and the risks of crying wolf. Moreover, it emphasizes how trust once broken, is difficult to reclaim. It's a story as relevant today as it was anciently.