In the heart of the captivating rolling hills, dwelt a shepherd boy. His being was pure, simple yet virtuous. His only responsibility was mainly to look after his flock of rams.
Their low murmuring and the rustling of the wind through the solo tree on the hilltop were his main associates. Day after day, looking out for his charges instilled in him a notion of quiet fulfillment.
However, there were occasional moments of loneliness, when the shepherd boy would pine for company. On one such day out of sheer boredom, the shepherd boy conceived a troublesome plan.
Stories of predators hunting on sheep had been around for a while in the hamlet. So, the boy chose to used this fear and played a prank on the inhabitants.
One afternoon he raced into the village yelling “Wolf! There is a wolf attacking my sheep!” The scared villagers sprinted up the hills for rescue but saw no wolf.
The boy laughed at the confusion on their faces. This trick persisted for a few more days. Yet, one noon, a real wolf did attack the grazing sheep. The shepherd boy raced for help, shouting “Wolf, Wolf!” But this time, no one responded.
Frustrated and alone, the boy fought against the wolf but managed to protect only few of his sheep. Heartbroken, here he went back to the town only to be met with a lesson on honesty and the results of dishonesty.
The tale of this shepherd boy has been transmitted generations as a mediaeval parable to teaching the significance of honesty, the implications of dishonesty and the perils of crying wolf. Moreover, it emphasizes how trust once broken, is tough to regain. It's a story as relevant today as it was anciently.