In the heart of the captivating rolling fields, resided a young shepherd. His life was essentially unadulterated, simple yet virtuous. His only responsibility was essentially to look after his flock of sheep.

Their soft bleating and the whispering of the breezes through the solo tree on the peak were his main co-dwellers. Day upon day, guarding his responsibilities instilled in him a feeling of tranquil contentment.

Yet, there were the occasional moments of loneliness, when the shepherd boy would read more long for companionship. In one such instance from sheer boredom, the shepherd boy conceived a troublesome scheme.

Tales of wolves prowling on sheep had been heard times and again in the hamlet. So, the boy chose to used this fear and played a prank on the townsfolk.

One morning he ran into the village shouting “Wolf! A wolf is preying on my sheep!” The scared villagers sprinted up the hills to help but saw no beast.

The boy giggled at the dilemma on their faces. This trick laughed for a few days more. However, one morning, a real wolf actually come to prey the flock. The shepherd boy dashed for help, shouting “Wolf, Wolf!” But this time, no one showed up.

Frustrated and alone, the boy struggled against the wolf but managed to protect only few of his flock. Devastated, he went back 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 handed down generations as a mediaeval parable for teaching the importance of honesty, the consequences of lying and the perils of crying wolf. Moreover, it stresses how trust once violated, is tough to earn back. It's a story as pertinent today as it was then.