In the heart of the enchanting rolling fields, lived a shepherd boy. His existence was mostly unadulterated, simple, and honest. His only responsibility was mainly to tend to his flock of rams.
Their soft bleating and the rustling of the wind through the lone tree on the peak were his main companions. Day after day, watching over his charges inculcated in here him a sense of quiet fulfillment.
However, there were the occasional moments of loneliness, when the shepherd boy would long for companionship. In one such instance from sheer boredom, the shepherd boy conceived a mischievous plan.
Stories of wild beasts hunting on sheep had been around for a while in the town. So, the boy opted to exploit this fear and played a prank on the villagers.
One day he dashed into the village screaming “Wolf! A wolf is that has taken my sheep!” The scared villagers ran up the hills for rescue but saw nothing threatening.
The boy chuckled at the puzzle on their faces. This prank persisted for a few days more. 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 showed up.
Frustrated and alone, the boy fought against the wolf but managed to protect only few of his sheep. 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 handed down generations as a mediaeval parable for teaching the value of honesty, the implications of dishonesty and the dangers of crying wolf. Moreover, it highlights how trust once lost, is difficult to earn back. It's a story as relevant today as it was anciently.