Narrative Text 7: The Story of The Boy Who Cried Wolf

Synopsis

A shepherd boy falsely cries wolf so often that when a wolf truly appears, no one believes him. This teaches the importance of honesty.

The Boy Who Cried Wolf

Once upon a time, in a peaceful village, there lived a young shepherd boy named Peter. He was responsible for watching over a flock of sheep. Although the job was simple, Peter often felt bored and lonely. In search of excitement, he decided to play a trick on the villagers.

One sunny afternoon, Peter shouted at the top of his lungs, “Help! Help! A wolf is attacking my sheep!” The villagers, hearing his cries, rushed up the hill to help him. But when they arrived, they found Peter laughing at them.

“There’s no wolf! I just wanted to have some fun!” he said, giggling at their expense.

The villagers were furious. “Peter, you must not lie! It is not a game to cry for help when there is none,” they warned him before returning to their work.

A few days later, feeling bored again, Peter decided to play the same trick. He yelled, “Help! Help! A wolf is here!” Once more, the villagers rushed up the hill, only to find Peter laughing again.

“You foolish villagers! There’s no wolf!” he mocked.

Angry and frustrated, the villagers warned him once more, “If you keep lying, no one will believe you when you truly need help.”

Days passed, and one evening, while Peter was watching his sheep, he saw a real wolf lurking in the bushes. Panic-stricken, he shouted, “Help! Help! A wolf is attacking my sheep!” But this time, no one came. The villagers, thinking it was another trick, ignored his cries.

The wolf attacked the flock, scattering the sheep and causing chaos. Peter watched helplessly as the wolf chased away his beloved sheep. Finally, the villagers arrived but it was too late; the wolf had already taken several sheep and disappeared into the woods.

Peter felt a deep sense of regret. He realized that his lies had destroyed his credibility. The villagers no longer trusted him, and he had lost not only his sheep but also their respect.

Moral and Life Lesson

The story of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" teaches us the importance of honesty and integrity. It reminds us that lying can have serious consequences, and once trust is broken, it is difficult to regain. Being truthful is essential in building relationships and ensuring that others will believe us when we genuinely need help.