The Boy Who Cried Wolf
A bored Shepherd Boy twice tricks the villagers by shouting “Wolf! Wolf!” and laughs when they come running. One evening a real Wolf comes, and nobody believes him.
Scene 1: A Dull Day on the Hill
The Boy Who Cried Wolf. A Shepherd Boy tended his master’s sheep near a dark forest, not far from the village. Soon he found life in the pasture very dull. All he could do to amuse himself was to play on his shepherd’s pipe.
Scene 2: Wolf! Wolf!
One day, as he watched the sheep and the quiet forest, he thought of a plan. His master had told him to call for help if a Wolf attacked the flock. Then the villagers would drive it away. So, though he had not seen anything like a Wolf, he ran toward the village. He shouted at the top of his voice: “Wolf! Wolf!”
Scene 3: Only a Trick
The villagers dropped their work and ran in great excitement to the pasture. But when they got there, they found the Boy doubled up with laughter at his trick. A few days later, the Shepherd Boy again shouted: “Wolf! Wolf!” Again the villagers ran to help him, only to be laughed at again.
Scene 4: The Real Wolf
Then one evening, the sun was setting behind the forest, and the shadows crept over the pasture. A Wolf really did spring from the bushes and fall upon the sheep. In terror, the Boy ran toward the village, shouting: “Wolf! Wolf!”
Scene 5: Nobody Came
The villagers heard the cry, but this time they did not run to help him. The villagers said: “He cannot fool us again.” The Wolf scattered the flock and carried off many of the Boy’s sheep. Then he slipped away into the forest. Liars are not believed even when they speak the truth.
Moral: Liars are not believed even when they speak the truth.
Questions about The Boy Who Cried Wolf
What did the Shepherd Boy play to amuse himself?
His shepherd's pipe.
What did the Boy shout to trick the villagers?
“Wolf! Wolf!”.
What did the villagers find when they ran to the pasture?
The Boy laughing at his trick.
When did the real Wolf come?
One evening, as the sun was setting.
Why didn't the villagers come the last time?
They thought he was fooling them again.
More stories to read aloud
- The Lion and the Mouse — A Lion catches a little Mouse but laughs and lets her go when she promises to repay him.
- The Hare and the Tortoise — A boastful Hare laughs at the slow Tortoise, so the Tortoise challenges him to a race.
- Belling the Cat — The Mice hold a council and a young Mouse has a clever plan: hang a bell about the Cat’s neck.