In the heart of the captivating rolling fields, lived a boy named Shepherd. His existence was essentially unadulterated, simple yet virtuous. His only responsibility was mainly to look after his herd of sheep.
Their gentle baas and the murmuring of the breezes through the solo tree on the hilltop were his only co-dwellers. Day after day, guarding his charges imbued in him a feeling of quiet fulfillment.
But, there were at times moments of solitude, when the shepherd boy would long for companionship. On one such day because of sheer boredom, the shepherd boy devised a naughty scheme.
Tales of wolves hunting on sheep had long been circulating in the town. So, the boy opted to used this fear and played a trick on the inhabitants.
One day he dashed into the village screaming “Wolf! There is a wolf attacking my sheep!” The terrified villagers rushed up the hills for rescue but saw no wolf.
The boy giggled at the dilemma on their faces. This trick persisted for a few more days. Yet, one noon, a real wolf actually charge at the grazing sheep. The shepherd boy ran for aid shouting “Wolf, Wolf!” But this time, no one showed up.
Frustrated and alone, the boy fought against the wolf but managed to rescue only few of his flock. Heartbroken, he went back to the town only to receive a reprimand on honesty and the results of false alarms.
His tale of this shepherd boy has been passed down generations as a mediaeval parable The shepherd boy story for teaching the importance of honesty, the consequences of lying and the dangers of false alarms. Moreover, it emphasizes how trust once broken, is hard to regain. It's a story as relevant today as it was anciently.