At the center of the captivating rolling meadows, resided a young shepherd. His existence was unadulterated, simple yet virtuous. His primary duty was to care for his herd of rams.
Their low murmuring and the murmuring of the wind among the solo tree on the peak were his main associates. Day after day, looking out for his charges inculcated in him a notion of tranquil contentment.
However, there were occasional moments of loneliness, when the shepherd boy would pine for company. During one such occasion because of sheer monotony, the shepherd boy devised a troublesome plot.
Tales of wild beasts preying on sheep had been around for a while in the town. So, the boy decided to leveraged this fear and played a trick on the villagers.
One afternoon he raced into the village screaming “Wolf! There is a wolf that has taken my sheep!” The terrified villagers rushed up the hills for rescue but saw nothing threatening.
The boy giggled at the dilemma on their faces. This trick continued for a few days more. However, one morning, a real wolf actually charge at the herd. The shepherd boy raced for aid screaming “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. Heartbroken, he returned to the town only to be met with a reprimand on honesty and the results of dishonesty.
His tale of this shepherd boy has been transmitted generations as a mediaeval parable for teaching the importance of honesty, the implications of dishonesty and the dangers of crying wolf. Moreover, it highlights how trust once violated, is tough to regain. It's a story as relevant today website as it was in the past.