Deep within the enchanting rolling hills, dwelt a boy named Shepherd. His being was essentially pure, and unsophisticated. His main role was mainly to care for his herd of ewes.
Their soft bleating and the whispering of the breezes through the single tree on the mountaintop were his main companions. Day in day, looking out for his charges inculcated in him a feeling of tranquil contentment.
But, there were at times moments of isolation, when the shepherd boy would yearn for companionship. In one such instance because of sheer boredom, the shepherd boy conceived a mischievous plan.
Narratives of wild beasts preying on sheep had long been circulating in the town. So, the boy chose to leveraged this fear and played The shepherd boy story a joke on the villagers.
One afternoon he dashed into the village shouting “Wolf! A wolf is preying on my sheep!” The frightened villagers ran up the hills for rescue but discovered no wolf.
The boy giggled at the confusion on their faces. This trick continued for a few more days. Yet, one morning, a real wolf did come to prey the flock. The shepherd boy dashed for help, screaming “Wolf, Wolf!” But this time, no one responded.
Frustrated and alone, the boy fought against the wolf but could protect only few of his flock. Devastated, he returned to the village only to receive a scolding on honesty and the results of crying wolf.
The story of this shepherd boy has been handed down generations as a mediaeval parable to teaching the significance of honesty, the implications of dishonesty and the perils of crying wolf. Moreover, it highlights how trust once lost, is tough to earn back. It's a story as relevant today as it was in the past.