In the heart of the mesmerizing rolling fields, lived read more a shepherd boy. His being was untarnished, simple, and honest. His only responsibility was essentially to tend to his flock of ewes.
Their gentle baas and the rustling of the wind through the solo tree on the hilltop were his main associates. Day in day, guarding his responsibilities inculcated in him a sense of calm satisfaction.
Yet, there were occasional moments of isolation, when the shepherd boy would long for companionship. In one such instance out of sheer tedium, the shepherd boy conceived a troublesome plan.
Stories of wild beasts hunting on sheep had long been circulating in the town. So, the boy decided to used this fear and played a trick on the townsfolk.
One morning he dashed into the village screaming “Wolf! There is a wolf attacking my sheep!” The frightened villagers rushed up the hills for rescue but discovered no wolf.
The boy giggled at the confusion on their faces. This trick continued for a few days more. But, one morning, a real wolf did come to prey the flock. The shepherd boy dashed for help, screaming “Wolf, Wolf!” But this time, no one showed up.
Frustrated and alone, the boy battled against the wolf but could rescue only few of his sheep. Heartbroken, he went back to the village only to be met with a reprimand on honesty and the consequences of false alarms.
His tale of this shepherd boy has been passed down generations as a mediaeval parable for teaching the value of honesty, the implications of dishonesty and the risks of false alarms. Moreover, it emphasizes how trust once broken, is tough to regain. It's a story as relevant today as it was anciently.