At the center of the mesmerizing rolling fields, resided a shepherd boy. His existence was essentially unadulterated, simple, and honest. His only responsibility was to tend to his herd of ewes.
Their gentle baas and the murmuring of the breezes among the read more single tree on the hilltop were his only companions. Day after day, looking out for his responsibilities imbued in him a feeling of calm satisfaction.
Yet, there were occasional moments of loneliness, when the shepherd boy would long for companionship. During one such occasion from sheer boredom, the shepherd boy devised a mischievous scheme.
Narratives of predators hunting on sheep had been around for a while in the village. So, the boy chose to exploit this fear and played a joke on the villagers.
One day he raced into the village screaming “Wolf! A wolf is preying on my sheep!” The scared villagers sprinted up the hills to offer assistance but discovered no beast.
The boy chuckled at the confusion on their faces. This game continued for a few days more. Yet, one noon, a real wolf did attack the herd. The shepherd boy raced for help, shouting “Wolf, Wolf!” But this time, no one responded.
Frustrated and alone, the boy struggled against the wolf but could rescue only few of his flock. Heartbroken, he returned to the town only to be met with a scolding on honesty and the repercussions of crying wolf.
The story of this shepherd boy has been transmitted generations as a mediaeval parable for teaching the importance of honesty, the consequences of lying and the risks of crying wolf. Moreover, it emphasizes how trust once lost, is tough to regain. It's a story as appropriate today as it was in the past.