In the heart of the mesmerizing rolling meadows, dwelt a shepherd boy. His life was unadulterated, simple yet virtuous. His only responsibility was mainly to look after his herd of sheep.
Their soft bleating and the whispering of the breezes through the lone tree on the mountaintop were his main co-dwellers. Day upon day, guarding his responsibilities instilled in him a sense of calm satisfaction.
However, there were the occasional moments of solitude, when the shepherd boy would pine for companionship. In one such instance because click here of sheer monotony, the shepherd boy conceived a mischievous plan.
Stories of wild beasts preying on sheep had long been circulating in the town. So, the boy chose to exploit this fear and played a prank on the villagers.
One morning he raced into the village yelling “Wolf! A wolf is attacking my sheep!” The frightened villagers ran up the hills to offer assistance but saw no wolf.
The boy laughed at the confusion on their faces. This prank persisted for a few more days. Yet, one morning, a real wolf did attack the herd. The shepherd boy raced for help, screaming “Wolf, Wolf!” But this time, no one responded.
Frustrated and alone, the boy fought against the wolf but managed to rescue only few of his flock. Devastated, he went back to the village only to be met with a lesson on honesty and the results of false alarms.
The 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 risks of false alarms. Moreover, it highlights how trust once violated, is hard to reclaim. It's a story as relevant today as it was in the past.