At the center of the enchanting rolling hills, resided a young shepherd. His existence was essentially pure, and unsophisticated. His primary duty was mainly to care for his herd of ewes.
Their soft bleating and the rustling of the wind among the single tree on the mountaintop were his constant associates. Day upon day, watching over his wards instilled in him a sense of calm satisfaction.
Yet, there were occasional moments of loneliness, when the shepherd boy would pine for companionship. On one such day because of sheer monotony, the shepherd boy conceived a mischievous scheme.
Narratives of wild beasts hunting on sheep had been heard times and again in the village. So, the boy chose to used this fear and played a prank on the inhabitants.
One afternoon he ran into the village screaming “Wolf! A wolf is preying on my sheep!” The scared villagers sprinted up the hills to help but found no beast.
The boy laughed at the dilemma on their faces. This game laughed for a couple of more days. Yet, one The shepherd boy story morning, a real wolf did come to prey the flock. The shepherd boy raced for aid screaming “Wolf, Wolf!” But this time, no one responded.
Frustrated and alone, the boy struggled against the wolf but could rescue only few of his sheep. Heartbroken, he went back to the town only to be met with a reprimand on honesty and the repercussions of dishonesty.
The story of this shepherd boy has been handed down generations as a mediaeval parable for teaching the importance of honesty, the consequences of lying and the perils of false alarms. Moreover, it emphasizes how trust once lost, is difficult to earn back. It's a story as relevant today as it was then.