Cries of Wolf (Aesop)

There was a boy who tended sheep,
In valleys wide and canyons steep.

On summer days he’d laugh and run,
On fields of green beneath the sun.

On winter nights he’d wear a cap,
And tightly ‘round a blanket wrap.

He never would the flock neglect,
For each he loved and would protect.

But oft he’d find his job a chore,
As sitting could be quite a bore.

So clever games the boy would play
To pass the time throughout the day.

And once he thought it would be fun
To watch all of the village run.

So from outside the city gate,
A trick he’d play, and then would wait.

With terror in his voice he cried;
“A wolf, a wolf!” the fellow lied.

In haste they came with sword and spear
To keep the beast from coming near.

This answer to his calls of fright
Did give the boy a great delight.

When finding peace within the fold,
The angry men the lad did scold.

As time passed by, the restless boy
Again did try his naughty ploy.

Again alarms were sounded wide.
Again the men rushed to his side.

And finding calm, they were irate,
And did the shepherd boy berate.

As seasons passed without a thought,
About his prank the boy forgot.

One night while all the lambs did sleep
A pack of wolves, in stealth, did creep.

The boy cried out for help that night
To save him from the awful plight.

But no one came with spear or sword.
His pleas for help were now ignored.

Thus for deceit he paid the cost,
As many of his sheep were lost.

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When one is known to oft deceive,
We’re not as likely to believe.

Photo Credit: Andrea Kratzenberg