The Boy Who Cried Wolf

A young shepherd, bored while watching his flock alone, decided it would be amusing to shout "Wolf! Wolf!" and watch the villagers come running to help, only to find no wolf at all. He laughed at their frustration and did it again a few days later, just as amused.

The villagers, tricked twice, grew angry and warned him never to cry wolf falsely again.

Then, one afternoon, a real wolf did appear among his sheep, and the boy shouted for help as loudly as he could — but the villagers, remembering his lies, ignored him entirely, certain it was just another joke. The wolf scattered and killed several of his sheep while the boy learned, far too late, that no one believes a liar even when he finally tells the truth.