Deep within the captivating rolling fields, resided a shepherd boy. His being was unadulterated, simple, and honest. His only responsibility was essentially to tend to his herd of ewes.
Their gentle baas and the whispering of the wind among the lone tree on the peak were his constant co-dwellers. Day after day, looking out for his wards inculcated in him a notion of calm satisfaction.
Yet, there were at times moments of isolation, when the shepherd boy would pine for companionship. In one such instance out of sheer boredom, the shepherd boy devised a mischievous scheme.
Stories of predators prowling on sheep had been around for a while in the village. So, the boy opted to exploit this fear and played a trick on the townsfolk.
One day he dashed into the village screaming “Wolf! There is a wolf preying on my sheep!” The scared villagers sprinted up the hills for rescue but found nothing threatening.
The boy laughed at the puzzle on their faces. This prank persisted for a couple of more days. Yet, one noon, a real wolf did come to prey the flock. The shepherd boy raced for help, screaming “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 flock. Devastated, he returned to the town only to receive a reprimand on honesty and the consequences of crying wolf.
The story of this shepherd boy has been transmitted generations as a mediaeval more info parable for teaching the importance of honesty, the consequences of lying and the perils of false alarms. Moreover, it highlights how trust once violated, is tough to earn back. It's a story as relevant today as it was anciently.