In the heart of the enchanting rolling hills, dwelt a young shepherd. His being was unadulterated, simple yet virtuous. His only responsibility was to look after his flock of sheep.
Their gentle baas and the whispering of the breezes across the single tree on the hilltop were his main companions. Day upon day, watching over his wards instilled in him a notion of calm satisfaction.
But, there were the occasional moments of isolation, when the shepherd boy would yearn for company. On one such day from sheer boredom, the shepherd read more boy conceived a naughty scheme.
Stories of predators prowling on sheep had long been circulating in the town. So, the boy decided to used this fear and played a prank on the townsfolk.
One morning he dashed into the village shouting “Wolf! There is a wolf attacking my sheep!” The frightened villagers sprinted up the hills to offer assistance but saw nothing threatening.
The boy chuckled at the puzzle on their faces. This game laughed for a few more days. Yet, one morning, a real wolf actually attack the grazing sheep. The shepherd boy raced for aid 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, he went back to the town only to receive a reprimand on honesty and the consequences of false alarms.
His tale of this shepherd boy has been transmitted generations as a mediaeval parable for teaching the significance of honesty, the implications of dishonesty and the dangers of false alarms. Moreover, it stresses how trust once lost, is difficult to earn back. It's a story as pertinent today as it was then.