At the center of the enchanting rolling hills, dwelt a young shepherd. His being was mostly unadulterated, and unsophisticated. His main role was essentially to care for his flock of rams.
Their low murmuring and the rustling of the breezes across the solo tree on the mountaintop were his main companions. Day upon day, looking out for his wards inculcated in him a sense of calm satisfaction.
But, there were at times moments of loneliness, when the shepherd boy would long for companionship. In one such instance from sheer boredom, the shepherd boy orchestrated a naughty plan.
Tales of wolves prowling on sheep had long been circulating in the hamlet. So, the boy chose to exploit this fear and played a joke on the townsfolk.
One afternoon he ran into the village yelling “Wolf! A wolf is attacking my sheep!” The frightened villagers rushed up the hills to help but discovered no wolf.
The boy giggled at the dilemma on their faces. This trick laughed for a couple of more days. However, one day, a read more real wolf actually come to prey the flock. The shepherd boy ran for help, screaming “Wolf, Wolf!” But this time, no one came.
Frustrated and alone, the boy battled against the wolf but could protect only few of his sheep. Heartbroken, he returned to the town only to be met with a scolding on honesty and the results of dishonesty.
The story of this shepherd boy has been passed down generations as a mediaeval parable to teaching the significance of honesty, the implications of dishonesty and the dangers of false alarms. Moreover, it emphasizes how trust once violated, is tough to regain. It's a story as pertinent today as it was then.