Deep within the enchanting rolling hills, dwelt a shepherd boy. His being was pure, simple, and honest. His only responsibility was to tend to his herd of rams.

Their soft bleating and the rustling of the gales across the single tree on the mountaintop were his main associates. Day in day, looking out for his responsibilities inculcated in him a feeling of calm satisfaction.

But, there were at times moments of loneliness, when the shepherd boy would long for fellowship. In one such instance because of sheer boredom, the shepherd boy conceived a troublesome plan.

Stories of wolves preying on sheep had been around for a while in the hamlet. So, the boy chose to exploit this fear and played a prank on the inhabitants.

One day he raced into the village screaming “Wolf! A wolf is attacking my sheep!” The frightened villagers rushed up the hills to help but saw nothing threatening.

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

Frustrated and alone, the boy battled against the wolf but could protect only few of his sheep. Heartbroken, he returned to the town only to be met with a lesson on honesty and the consequences of dishonesty.

The story of this shepherd boy has been transmitted generations as a mediaeval parable to teaching the significance of honesty, the consequences of lying and the risks of crying read more wolf. Moreover, it stresses how trust once lost, is hard to earn back. It's a story as relevant today as it was then.