At the center of the enchanting rolling hills, dwelt a young shepherd. His life was pure, simple, and honest. His main role was essentially to care for his herd of rams.
Their gentle baas and the rustling of the gales among the single tree on the mountaintop were his only associates. Day in day, looking out for his wards instilled in him a feeling of tranquil contentment.
However, there were the occasional moments of isolation, when the shepherd boy would pine for fellowship. On one such day because of sheer boredom, the shepherd boy conceived a mischievous plot.
Narratives of wolves preying on sheep had long been circulating in the town. So, the boy decided to exploit this fear and played a trick on the townsfolk.
One day he ran into the village screaming “Wolf! A wolf is that click here has taken my sheep!” The frightened villagers rushed up the hills to offer assistance but saw nothing threatening.
The boy chuckled at the dilemma on their faces. This prank persisted for a couple of more days. However, one day, a real wolf actually come to prey the flock. The shepherd boy ran for help, shouting “Wolf, Wolf!” But this time, no one came.
Frustrated and alone, the boy struggled against the wolf but could rescue only few of his flock. Heartbroken, he went back to the town only to be met with a lesson on honesty and the consequences of false alarms.
The story of this shepherd boy has been handed down generations as a mediaeval parable for teaching the significance of honesty, the consequences of lying and the risks of false alarms. Moreover, it stresses how trust once lost, is tough to regain. It's a story as relevant today as it was in the past.