In the heart of the mesmerizing rolling fields, lived a shepherd boy. His life was essentially pure, simple, and honest. His primary duty was essentially to tend to his flock of ewes.
Their gentle baas and the rustling of the wind among the lone tree on the peak were his constant associates. Day after day, looking out for his wards instilled in him a notion of tranquil contentment.
However, there were the occasional moments of solitude, when the shepherd boy would yearn for company. During one such occasion from sheer tedium, the shepherd boy orchestrated a mischievous plan.
Tales of wild beasts prowling on sheep had long been circulating in the village. So, the boy decided to exploit this fear and played a prank on the inhabitants.
One day he dashed into the village yelling “Wolf! A wolf is attacking my sheep!” The frightened villagers sprinted up the hills for rescue but discovered no beast.
The boy giggled at the confusion on their faces. This prank continued for a couple of more days. Yet, one here morning, a real wolf did attack the grazing sheep. The shepherd boy ran for aid shouting “Wolf, Wolf!” But this time, no one came.
Frustrated and alone, the boy fought against the wolf but managed to rescue only few of his flock. Devastated, he returned to the town only to receive a scolding on honesty and the repercussions of false alarms.
The tale of this shepherd boy has been transmitted generations as a mediaeval parable for teaching the value of honesty, the consequences of lying and the perils of false alarms. Moreover, it stresses how trust once violated, is difficult to reclaim. It's a story as appropriate today as it was anciently.