In the heart of the captivating rolling hills, dwelt a boy named Shepherd. His existence was pure, simple yet virtuous. His primary duty was to look after his flock of sheep.
Their low murmuring and the rustling of the breezes across the single tree on the hilltop were his only companions. Day upon day, looking out for his responsibilities imbued in him a feeling of tranquil contentment.
However, there were the occasional moments of loneliness, when the shepherd boy would pine for companionship. During one such occasion because of sheer tedium, the shepherd boy devised a naughty plot.
Narratives of predators preying on sheep had been around for a while in the town. So, the boy opted to used this fear and played a joke on the villagers.
One day he ran into the village shouting “Wolf! There is a wolf attacking my sheep!” The frightened villagers ran up the hills for rescue but found no wolf.
The boy laughed at the confusion on their faces. This game laughed for a few more days. Yet, one morning, a real wolf did attack the grazing sheep. The shepherd boy ran for aid screaming “Wolf, Wolf!” But this time, no one responded.
Frustrated and alone, the boy battled against the wolf but could rescue only few of his sheep. Heartbroken, he returned to the village only here to be met with a reprimand on honesty and the consequences of dishonesty.
The story of this shepherd boy has been transmitted generations as a mediaeval parable for teaching the significance of honesty, the implications of dishonesty and the risks of false alarms. Moreover, it emphasizes how trust once broken, is tough to regain. It's a story as pertinent today as it was in the past.