Deep within the mesmerizing rolling meadows, lived a shepherd boy. His being was essentially unadulterated, simple, and honest. His only responsibility was essentially to tend to his herd of rams.
Their low murmuring and the rustling of the wind across the lone tree on the peak were his only associates. Day in day, watching over his responsibilities inculcated in him a notion of calm satisfaction.
However, there were occasional moments of loneliness, when the shepherd boy would long click here for fellowship. On one such day because of sheer tedium, the shepherd boy orchestrated a troublesome scheme.
Stories of predators preying on sheep had long been circulating in the hamlet. So, the boy chose to exploit this fear and played a prank on the townsfolk.
One morning he ran into the village shouting “Wolf! A wolf is preying on my sheep!” The terrified villagers ran up the hills to help but saw no beast.
The boy giggled at the confusion on their faces. This game laughed for a few days more. However, one noon, a real wolf did attack the flock. The shepherd boy ran for help, shouting “Wolf, Wolf!” But this time, no one showed up.
Frustrated and alone, the boy battled against the wolf but managed to protect only few of his flock. Devastated, he went back to the village only to be met with a scolding on honesty and the repercussions of dishonesty.
The story of this shepherd boy has been passed down generations as a mediaeval parable to teaching the value of honesty, the consequences of lying and the perils of crying wolf. Moreover, it highlights how trust once lost, is hard to reclaim. It's a story as appropriate today as it was then.