At the center of the mesmerizing rolling fields, dwelt a boy named Shepherd. His existence was unadulterated, simple, and honest. His main role was to tend to his flock of rams.
Their gentle baas and the murmuring of the breezes among the lone tree on the hilltop were his constant co-dwellers. Day after day, looking out for his responsibilities instilled in him a sense of calm satisfaction.
However, there were occasional moments of loneliness, when the shepherd boy would yearn for companionship. In one such instance out of sheer boredom, the shepherd boy devised a troublesome plan.
Narratives of predators prowling on sheep had been heard times and again in the town. So, the boy opted to exploit this fear and played a prank on the townsfolk.
One day he dashed into the village shouting “Wolf! There is a wolf preying on my sheep!” The frightened villagers ran up the hills for rescue but discovered no beast.
The boy chuckled at the confusion on their faces. This prank laughed for a few more days. But, one more info morning, a real wolf actually come to prey the grazing sheep. The shepherd boy ran for help, shouting “Wolf, Wolf!” But this time, no one came.
Frustrated and alone, the boy battled against the wolf but could rescue only few of his flock. Heartbroken, he returned to the town only to be met with a reprimand on honesty and the repercussions of crying wolf.
The story of this shepherd boy has been passed down generations as a mediaeval parable to teaching the value of honesty, the implications of dishonesty and the risks of crying wolf. Moreover, it emphasizes how trust once broken, is difficult to earn back. It's a story as pertinent today as it was anciently.