Deep within the captivating rolling fields, dwelt a young shepherd. His life was unadulterated, simple yet virtuous. His main role was to care for his herd of rams.
Their low murmuring and the rustling of the breezes among the single tree on the peak were his constant companions. Day in day, looking out for his wards imbued in him a notion of calm satisfaction.
But, there were the The shepherd boy story occasional moments of isolation, when the shepherd boy would pine for company. On one such day because of sheer tedium, the shepherd boy conceived a mischievous plot.
Narratives of wolves hunting on sheep had been around for a while in the town. So, the boy decided to exploit this fear and played a joke on the townsfolk.
One day he dashed into the village screaming “Wolf! A wolf is preying on my sheep!” The scared villagers sprinted up the hills to offer assistance but saw nothing threatening.
The boy giggled at the puzzle on their faces. This game laughed for a few more days. But, one morning, a real wolf did charge at the flock. The shepherd boy dashed 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 flock. Heartbroken, he went back to the town only to be met with a lesson on honesty and the results of dishonesty.
His tale of this shepherd boy has been handed down generations as a mediaeval parable for teaching the importance of honesty, the consequences of lying and the risks of false alarms. Moreover, it highlights how trust once lost, is difficult to regain. It's a story as appropriate today as it was then.