The Shepherd Boy and the Wolf

24. THE SHEPHERD BOY AND THE WOLF. A young shepherd kept his sheep upon a common often visited by wolves. Out of very mischief the boy from time to time would cry, as if in fear,"The wolf! The wolf!" Hearing this, the men from the fields near by rushed to save him, as they thought. But they found no wolf. This happened so many times that at last the men made up their minds not to stir should the boy again call out. One day the wolf did really come. The boy this time cried in earnest, "The wolf! the wolf!" but as no one came to his aid (for all the men thought he was playing his old tricks), the wolf killed the boy and devoured the sheep at his ease. [more info]