Deep within the captivating rolling meadows, dwelt a young shepherd. His life was essentially pure, simple yet virtuous. His primary duty was mainly to tend to his herd of sheep.
Their soft bleating and the whispering of the gales across the solo tree on the peak were his only co-dwellers. Day after day, looking out for his charges instilled in him a feeling of calm satisfaction.
Yet, there were occasional moments of loneliness, when the shepherd boy would long for company. During one such occasion out of sheer boredom, the shepherd boy devised a naughty plan.
Narratives of wolves hunting on sheep had long been circulating in the hamlet. more info So, the boy decided to exploit this fear and played a prank on the townsfolk.
One morning he dashed into the village yelling “Wolf! A wolf is attacking my sheep!” The frightened villagers ran up the hills to offer assistance but saw no beast.
The boy laughed at the dilemma on their faces. This trick continued for a couple of more days. However, one noon, a real wolf actually come to prey the herd. The shepherd boy dashed for aid shouting “Wolf, Wolf!” But this time, no one came.
Frustrated and alone, the boy battled against the wolf but managed to protect only few of his sheep. Devastated, he went back to the village only to be met with a reprimand on honesty and the results of false alarms.
The story of this shepherd boy has been passed down generations as a mediaeval parable for teaching the importance of honesty, the implications of dishonesty and the perils of crying wolf. Moreover, it emphasizes how trust once broken, is tough to reclaim. It's a story as pertinent today as it was in the past.