In the heart of the enchanting rolling fields, resided a shepherd boy. His being was unadulterated, simple yet virtuous. His main role was to care for his flock of ewes.

Their gentle baas and the murmuring of the breezes across the lone tree on the peak were his main co-dwellers. Day after day, guarding his responsibilities inculcated in him a feeling of tranquil contentment.

Yet, there were occasional moments of solitude, when the shepherd boy would yearn for fellowship. On one such day because of sheer boredom, the shepherd boy conceived a troublesome plan.

Stories of wild beasts prowling on sheep had been heard times and again in the village. So, the boy opted to exploit this fear and played a trick on the villagers.

One afternoon he raced into the village yelling “Wolf! There is a wolf that has taken my sheep!” The terrified villagers rushed up the hills for rescue but saw no wolf.

The boy chuckled at the puzzle on their faces. This game laughed for a few days more. Yet, one noon, a real wolf actually come to prey the grazing sheep. The shepherd boy raced for aid shouting “Wolf, Wolf!” But this time, no one came.

Frustrated and alone, the boy fought against the wolf but could protect only few of his flock. Heartbroken, he went back to the town only to receive a reprimand on honesty and the results of crying wolf.

The story of this shepherd boy has been handed down generations as a mediaeval parable for teaching the value of honesty, the consequences of lying and the perils of false alarms. Moreover, it highlights how trust once broken, is hard more info to earn back. It's a story as appropriate today as it was in the past.