Deep within the captivating rolling meadows, resided a young shepherd. His life was essentially unadulterated, simple yet virtuous. His main role was essentially to care for his herd of sheep.
Their gentle baas and the whispering of the gales among the lone tree on the peak were his main co-dwellers. Day after day, guarding his wards inculcated in him a sense of quiet fulfillment.
But, there were the occasional moments of solitude, when the shepherd boy would yearn for fellowship. In one such instance because of sheer monotony, the shepherd boy orchestrated a naughty scheme.
Tales of wild beasts prowling on sheep had long been circulating in the hamlet. So, the boy chose to exploit this fear and played a joke on the villagers.
One day he dashed into the village yelling “Wolf! A wolf is that has taken my sheep!” The scared villagers ran up the hills to help but found no wolf.
The boy laughed at the dilemma on their faces. This game continued for a few days more. But, one morning, a real wolf did come to prey the herd. The shepherd boy dashed for help, shouting “Wolf, Wolf!” But this time, no one responded.
Frustrated and alone, the boy check here fought against the wolf but could protect only few of his flock. Heartbroken, he went back to the village only to be met with a scolding on honesty and the results of false alarms.
His tale of this shepherd boy has been passed down generations as a mediaeval parable for teaching the value of honesty, the implications of dishonesty and the risks of crying wolf. Moreover, it emphasizes how trust once violated, is tough to regain. It's a story as relevant today as it was in the past.