In the heart of the mesmerizing rolling fields, dwelt a young shepherd. His life was untarnished, and unsophisticated. His only responsibility was mainly to look after his herd of rams.
Their low murmuring and the rustling of the gales through the solo tree on the peak were his only companions. Day in day, guarding his wards imbued in him a sense of calm satisfaction.
But, there were the occasional moments of loneliness, when the shepherd boy would yearn for fellowship. In one such instance out of sheer tedium, the shepherd boy conceived a naughty scheme.
Stories of predators preying on sheep had long been circulating in the town. So, the boy chose to used this fear and played a prank on the villagers.
One morning he ran into the village shouting “Wolf! A wolf is preying on my sheep!” The scared villagers ran up the hills to offer assistance but saw no beast.
The boy laughed at the dilemma on their faces. This game laughed for a couple of more days. However, one noon, a real wolf actually attack the grazing sheep. The shepherd boy ran for help, screaming “Wolf, Wolf!” But this time, no one came.
Frustrated and alone, the boy battled against the wolf but could protect only few of his sheep. Heartbroken, he went back to the village only to receive a reprimand on honesty and the consequences of false alarms.
The story of this shepherd boy has been transmitted generations as a mediaeval parable for teaching the importance of honesty, the consequences of lying check here and the risks of crying wolf. Moreover, it highlights how trust once lost, is hard to earn back. It's a story as pertinent today as it was anciently.