The Tale of the Shepherd Boy

Deep within the enchanting rolling meadows, resided a young shepherd. His existence was mostly unadulterated, and unsophisticated. His main role was to tend to his flock of rams.

Their soft bleating and the murmuring of the wind across the single tree on the mountaintop were his constant co-dwellers. Day after day, guarding his responsibilities instilled in him a notion of calm satisfaction.

Yet, there were at times moments of isolation, when the shepherd boy would long for companionship. In one such instance from sheer tedium, the shepherd boy conceived a naughty plot.

Stories of predators prowling on sheep had been heard times and again in the town. So, the boy chose to used this fear and played a trick on the villagers.

One day he raced into the village shouting “Wolf! A wolf is attacking my sheep!” The terrified villagers sprinted up the hills to help but found no beast.

The boy chuckled at the confusion on their faces. This game continued for a couple of more days. However, one noon, a real wolf did attack the flock. The shepherd boy ran for help, shouting “Wolf, Wolf!” But this time, no one more info came.

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 reprimand on honesty and the results of dishonesty.

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 wolf. Moreover, it emphasizes how trust once violated, is hard to regain. It's a story as relevant today as it was anciently.