Deep within the mesmerizing rolling hills, dwelt a young shepherd. His being was essentially unadulterated, simple, and honest. His only responsibility was essentially to care for his herd of rams.
Their gentle baas and the whispering of the breezes through the lone tree on the mountaintop were his constant associates. Day after day, looking out for his charges imbued in him a sense of calm satisfaction.
But, there were at times moments of solitude, when the shepherd boy would long for company. During one such occasion out of sheer monotony, the shepherd boy devised The shepherd boy story a naughty scheme.
Narratives of wild beasts prowling on sheep had been heard times and again in the village. So, the boy chose to leveraged this fear and played a prank on the inhabitants.
One afternoon he dashed into the village shouting “Wolf! There is a wolf preying on my sheep!” The scared villagers rushed up the hills to help but found no wolf.
The boy chuckled at the dilemma on their faces. This prank continued for a few days more. But, one morning, a real wolf did charge at the herd. The shepherd boy dashed for help, screaming “Wolf, Wolf!” But this time, no one responded.
Frustrated and alone, the boy fought against the wolf but managed to protect only few of his flock. Devastated, he went back to the village only to be met with a scolding on honesty and the results of crying wolf.
His tale of this shepherd boy has been transmitted generations as a mediaeval parable for teaching the importance of honesty, the implications of dishonesty and the dangers of crying wolf. Moreover, it highlights how trust once violated, is tough to reclaim. It's a story as pertinent today as it was then.