In the heart of the enchanting rolling fields, resided a shepherd boy. His existence was pure, simple yet virtuous. His only responsibility was to care for his herd of sheep.
Their low murmuring and the whispering of the breezes among the lone tree on the peak were his constant associates. Day after day, watching over his responsibilities inculcated in him a sense of tranquil contentment.
Yet, there were at times moments of loneliness, when the shepherd boy would pine for companionship. In one website such instance out of sheer boredom, the shepherd boy orchestrated a naughty scheme.
Stories of wild beasts preying on sheep had long been circulating in the town. So, the boy opted to exploit this fear and played a joke on the villagers.
One day he raced into the village screaming “Wolf! There is a wolf preying on my sheep!” The scared villagers ran up the hills to offer assistance but discovered nothing threatening.
The boy laughed at the confusion on their faces. This trick persisted for a few more days. However, one noon, a real wolf actually come to prey the grazing sheep. The shepherd boy dashed for help, screaming “Wolf, Wolf!” But this time, no one responded.
Frustrated and alone, the boy fought against the wolf but managed to rescue only few of his flock. Devastated, he returned to the town only to be met with a scolding on honesty and the results of dishonesty.
The story of this shepherd boy has been transmitted generations as a mediaeval parable for teaching the value of honesty, the consequences of lying and the dangers of crying wolf. Moreover, it emphasizes how trust once lost, is tough to earn back. It's a story as appropriate today as it was then.