Deep within the mesmerizing rolling fields, dwelt a boy named Shepherd. His existence was mostly unadulterated, simple yet virtuous. His primary duty was mainly to look after his flock of sheep.
Their low murmuring and the rustling of the breezes through the solo tree on the hilltop were his only associates. Day after day, watching over his charges imbued in him a feeling of calm satisfaction.
Yet, there were at times moments of isolation, when the shepherd boy would yearn for companionship. On one such day because of sheer monotony, the shepherd boy conceived a mischievous scheme.
Narratives of wild beasts preying on sheep had been around for a while in the hamlet. So, the boy decided to used this fear and played a trick on the inhabitants.
One day he ran into the village shouting “Wolf! There is a wolf preying on my sheep!” The scared villagers ran up the hills to offer assistance but discovered no beast.
The boy giggled at the confusion on their faces. This trick laughed for a few more days. However, one noon, a real wolf did attack the herd. The shepherd boy dashed for aid screaming “Wolf, Wolf!” But this more info time, no one came.
Frustrated and alone, the boy battled against the wolf but could protect only few of his sheep. Devastated, he returned to the village only to receive a reprimand on honesty and the results of crying wolf.
The story of this shepherd boy has been passed down generations as a mediaeval parable to teaching the significance of honesty, the consequences of lying and the risks of false alarms. Moreover, it emphasizes how trust once violated, is difficult to regain. It's a story as relevant today as it was then.