Deep within the mesmerizing rolling hills, resided a young shepherd. His existence was unadulterated, and unsophisticated. His only responsibility was essentially to care for his herd of ewes.
Their gentle baas and the murmuring of the breezes through the solo tree on the mountaintop were his main companions. Day upon day, looking out for his wards instilled in him a notion of quiet fulfillment.
But, there were occasional moments of solitude, when the shepherd boy would long for company. In one such instance from sheer monotony, the shepherd boy orchestrated a mischievous plan.
Tales of predators hunting more info on sheep had been heard times and again in the hamlet. So, the boy decided to used this fear and played a joke on the townsfolk.
One afternoon he ran into the village shouting “Wolf! A wolf is attacking my sheep!” The scared villagers rushed up the hills for rescue but discovered no wolf.
The boy giggled at the confusion on their faces. This game continued for a few more days. But, 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 struggled against the wolf but could rescue only few of his flock. Devastated, he went back to the town only to receive a reprimand on honesty and the results of crying wolf.
The story of this shepherd boy has been passed down generations as a mediaeval parable for teaching the significance of honesty, the implications of dishonesty and the dangers of false alarms. Moreover, it emphasizes how trust once broken, is tough to regain. It's a story as relevant today as it was anciently.