In the heart of the enchanting rolling hills, dwelt a boy named Shepherd. His life was essentially untarnished, simple yet virtuous. His only responsibility was mainly to look after his flock of ewes.
Their gentle baas and the rustling of the breezes among the solo tree on the mountaintop were his main companions. Day upon day, watching over his charges imbued in him a feeling of tranquil contentment.
Yet, there were occasional moments of isolation, when the shepherd boy would long for fellowship. On one such day because of sheer monotony, the shepherd boy orchestrated a mischievous scheme.
Tales of wild beasts hunting on sheep had long been circulating in the town. So, the boy chose to leveraged this fear and played a prank on the townsfolk.
One day he ran into the village yelling “Wolf! There is a wolf that has taken my sheep!” The terrified villagers ran up the hills to offer assistance but found no wolf.
The boy chuckled at the confusion on their faces. This trick persisted for a few days more. However, one morning, a real wolf did attack the grazing sheep. The shepherd boy ran for aid shouting “Wolf, Wolf!” But this time, no one responded.
Frustrated and alone, the boy struggled against the wolf but could protect only few of his sheep. Heartbroken, he went back to the village only to be met with a reprimand on honesty and the results of false alarms.
The tale of this shepherd boy has been transmitted generations as a mediaeval parable to teaching the value of honesty, the consequences of lying and the dangers of false alarms. Moreover, it highlights how trust once violated, is tough to reclaim. It's a story as appropriate today as it was in the past. more info