At the center of the mesmerizing rolling fields, resided a boy named Shepherd. His existence was unadulterated, simple, and honest. His only responsibility was mainly to care for his flock of rams.
Their gentle baas and the rustling of the gales through the lone tree on the hilltop were his main associates. Day in day, guarding his charges imbued in him a sense of calm satisfaction.
Yet, there were at times moments of isolation, when the shepherd boy would long for companionship. get more info During one such occasion from sheer monotony, the shepherd boy conceived a troublesome scheme.
Narratives of wild beasts prowling on sheep had been heard times and again in the village. So, the boy decided to exploit this fear and played a prank on the villagers.
One morning he dashed into the village screaming “Wolf! A wolf is attacking my sheep!” The terrified villagers ran up the hills for rescue but found nothing threatening.
The boy laughed at the confusion on their faces. This prank persisted for a couple of more days. But, one morning, a real wolf actually attack the flock. The shepherd boy ran for help, 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 returned to the town only to receive a lesson on honesty and the results of dishonesty.
The story of this shepherd boy has been transmitted generations as a mediaeval parable for teaching the value of honesty, the implications of dishonesty and the risks of false alarms. Moreover, it stresses how trust once broken, is tough to reclaim. It's a story as appropriate today as it was then.