Deep within the mesmerizing rolling hills, resided a shepherd boy. His existence was essentially pure, simple yet virtuous. His main role was mainly to look after his herd of ewes.
Their soft bleating and the murmuring of the breezes among the solo tree on the mountaintop were his constant associates. Day in day, guarding his charges instilled in him a notion of quiet fulfillment.
However, there were occasional moments of isolation, when the shepherd boy would yearn for companionship. During one such occasion because of sheer monotony, the shepherd boy devised a naughty scheme.
Narratives of wolves hunting on sheep had long been circulating in the village. So, the boy chose to used this fear and played a trick on the townsfolk.
One day he raced into the village yelling “Wolf! A wolf is attacking my sheep!” The terrified villagers ran up the hills to help but discovered no wolf.
The boy giggled at the dilemma on their faces. This prank continued for a few days more. However, one day, a real wolf did attack the flock. 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 could protect only few of his sheep. Devastated, he returned to the town only to be met with a reprimand on honesty and the consequences of false alarms.
The tale of this shepherd boy has been transmitted generations as a mediaeval parable to teaching the value The shepherd boy story of honesty, the implications of dishonesty and the dangers of false alarms. Moreover, it stresses how trust once violated, is tough to earn back. It's a story as relevant today as it was anciently.