In the heart of the mesmerizing rolling hills, dwelt a boy named Shepherd. His life was essentially unadulterated, and unsophisticated. His primary duty was essentially to care for his flock of ewes.
Their low murmuring and the whispering of the wind through the solo tree on the hilltop were his constant co-dwellers. Day after day, looking out for his charges inculcated in him a notion of calm satisfaction.
But, there were at times read more moments of loneliness, when the shepherd boy would yearn for companionship. During one such occasion from sheer monotony, the shepherd boy conceived a naughty plot.
Stories of wolves hunting on sheep had long been circulating in the village. So, the boy opted to exploit this fear and played a trick on the townsfolk.
One day he dashed into the village shouting “Wolf! There is a wolf preying on my sheep!” The scared villagers sprinted up the hills for rescue but discovered no beast.
The boy laughed at the puzzle on their faces. This game continued for a couple of more days. However, one morning, a real wolf did attack the flock. The shepherd boy raced for aid screaming “Wolf, Wolf!” But this time, no one responded.
Frustrated and alone, the boy battled against the wolf but managed to rescue only few of his flock. Devastated, he went back to the village only to receive a lesson on honesty and the consequences of dishonesty.
The tale of this shepherd boy has been handed down generations as a mediaeval parable for teaching the importance of honesty, the consequences of lying and the perils of crying wolf. Moreover, it stresses how trust once lost, is tough to regain. It's a story as relevant today as it was anciently.