In the heart of the mesmerizing rolling meadows, resided a shepherd boy. His life was essentially untarnished, simple yet virtuous. His only responsibility was to look after his herd of sheep.
Their soft bleating and the murmuring of the wind through the single tree on the hilltop were his only associates. Day in day, guarding his wards instilled in him a sense of calm satisfaction.
But, there were the occasional moments of isolation, when the shepherd boy would pine for company. During one such occasion out of sheer monotony, the shepherd boy orchestrated a naughty scheme.
Narratives of wild beasts prowling on sheep had long been circulating in the town. So, the boy decided to used this fear and played a prank on the villagers.
One day he raced into the village yelling “Wolf! There is a wolf that has taken my sheep!” The terrified villagers rushed up the hills to help but saw nothing threatening.
The boy laughed at the dilemma on their faces. This trick persisted for a few days more. Yet, one day, a real wolf did come to prey the flock. The shepherd boy raced for help, screaming “Wolf, Wolf!” But this time, no one showed up.
Frustrated and alone, the boy fought against the wolf but could rescue only few of his flock. Devastated, he went back to the village only to be met with a scolding on honesty and the consequences of crying wolf.
The story of this shepherd boy has been handed down generations as a mediaeval parable to teaching the importance of honesty, the implications of dishonesty and the dangers of crying click here wolf. Moreover, it stresses how trust once violated, is tough to reclaim. It's a story as appropriate today as it was anciently.