The Boy Who Cried Wolf – Aesop’s Fables

This classic fable highlights the danger of lying—even minor lies meant in jest. When we lie or exaggerate, we undermine our own credibility. As a result, people may stop believing us even when telling the truth. Honesty and integrity should guide our actions.

A young shepherd boy was tasked with watching grazing sheep. One day, hoping to stir up some excitement, he called out, “Wolf! Wolf!” The nearby villagers came running, but found no wolf. The boy amused himself by laughing at their panicked response over his trickery.

The next day, the boy cried “Wolf!” once more, fooling the villagers a second time. He snickered at pulling the wool over their eyes. From then on, the boy regularly cried wolf when no danger existed. Each time the villagers raced to help, only to leave annoyed at the prank. 

Soon after, while watching his flock, the boy saw an actual wolf emerge from the trees, heading straight for the sheep. Alarmed, the boy cried out loudly, “Wolf! Wolf!” But this time, the exhausted villagers ignored his cries, assuming it was just another trick. Without help, the wolf attacked the flock and made away with a sheep for his dinner.

Lying cost the boy’s credibility, even when he told the truth. Like the villagers, people become skeptical when someone lacks integrity and honesty. Small deceits and exaggerations chip away the trust others place in our words. To maintain belief in what we say, we should speak truthfully and resist convenient falsehoods. In the end, truth and integrity are their own reward.