The Boy who cried wolf

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Avatar for Tomi-Ajax
2 years ago
Topics: Idiom, Story, Uncle Sam, USA, Song, ...

"To cry wolf" is an English idiomatic expression meaning "to raise false alarm" or "to make false claim".

The idiom was gotten from one of Aesop's fables titled; "The boy who cried wolf". The fable has been told for many centuries and it is a popular children story. I first came across this tale at the age of 7. As it was one of the numerous short stories in the English language textbook; "Mastering English".

Some of you reading this might have read or heard of the tale but for the sake of those who haven't I would like to narrate it.

The tale

There was a shepherd boy who got bored and decided to make a ruse about his flock being attacked by a wolf. He went to the nearby village and began shouting;

"Help! Help! Wolf!"

The villagers left what they were busy doing, to help the boy fend off the ravenous wolf from preying on his flock.

But when the villagers arrived at the spot where the flock were grazing, they found no wolf nor sign of wolf. The young boy began laughing and claimed it was a joke. The villagers were really upset but overlooked his act and termed it as being childish.

Some days later he repeated the same trick, this time around only half of the population of the village rushed to come to his rescue. Soon they regretted their decision as they realized that it was another prank by the Shepherd boy.

The unfortunate meeting

Days later, on one fateful evening as the shepherd boy was pasturing. He saw some yellow shining eyes from afar. The creature was moving close and suddenly it howled.

Fear descended upon the shepherd boy as he realized it was a Wolf, he began to run towards the village shouting

"Help! Help! Wolf! I swear; it is true!"

The villagers quickly recognize that he was the same shepherd boy who had tricked them on two occasions. They all concluded he was making another trick and they decided not to come to his aid.

Despite his pleas and swearing he wasn't able to convince any of the villagers.

When dawn came, he went to check on his flock, but unfortunately all his sheep have been devoured by the wolf and its pack.

Lesson from the story

The lesson in the story can be easily discerned. "A liar won't be believed even when he or she starts telling the truth".

It is an important lesson every child need to learn growing up, but the lesson of the story isn't only limited to kids but to every age group.

Uncle Sam

Uncle Sam has cried wolf many times in the past that even when he speaks the truth many people don't believe or they become skeptical.

Who is Uncle Sam?

"Uncle Sam" is a personification of the "United States government". The U.S government has made some claims that turned out to be lies. Thereby making some people doubt their credibility and therefore increase the rise in anti-americanism and anti-west.

For example; months before Russia invaded Ukraine. America had gotten intelligence report about the invasion and despite the cry and prediction of an invading force; many countries didn't believe it to be true including some of their European allies. Not until 24th of February when the invasion started.

A song

As I was writing this article I was listening to a song of the same topic and title by the UK musician; "Passenger"

A screenshot of from my music player

The song is written from the perspective of the shepherd boy, who was lamenting about how no one believes him now. Despite all his attempt to show that he is now saying the truth.

The lyrics of the song is so touching. The song ended as the Shepherd boy lament;

"And I could share only the truth from this day forth"

"But I know I will only ever be the boy who cried wolf"

________________________

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Thank you for the time spent reading, for your comments and upvotes. I appreciate them all.

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2 years ago
Topics: Idiom, Story, Uncle Sam, USA, Song, ...

Comments

I remember this story from my childhood and your way of recalling to our minds was very interesting, Keep it up 👍

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2 years ago

Didn't read the story, but I am a huge fan of Passenger. You listen to him too? 😚😚😚

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2 years ago

Yes I do, his songs are wonderful

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2 years ago

I can remember reading the story of the boy who cried wolf in primary school. Even at that age I learnt a lot from that story. USA has lost her credibility which makes people to doubt them.

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2 years ago

I remember I read this story somewhere, I never really gave importance to this before, but now that I'm older, I realized how important the lesson in this story is.

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2 years ago

When I read this article your friend TomiAjax was a nice story and he had a lesson.

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2 years ago

I also didn't believe US when they announced Russia invasion because US isn't exactly trustworthy and from their history, they always tend to manipulate countries against each other just for their benefit

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2 years ago

Well, but they are right in this scenario and I guess they are learning from their mistakes

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2 years ago

The story of the Shepherd teaches us that we shouldn't fake things, or involve in falsehood, because it can bounce back and hurt us later in life.

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2 years ago

nobody trust anyone who engages in falsehood and lies

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2 years ago

Sometimes we need to be truthful because there are some things we must not joke with. We should know that our lives and personality is important. So, we should not toil with it as it can make us lose so many things.

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2 years ago

Our personality is very important and it can be ruined by a lying mouth

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2 years ago

As big as I'm, this is my First time knowing about this story 🤓. It's an important lesson to learn, then lies are what occupy your mouth, when you speaks Truth, no one would believe

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2 years ago

Don't feel bad, I'm pretty sure you aren't the only one reading about this story for the first time.

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2 years ago

Truth always has firm roots and long lasting impression. These stories gives us moral that don't fall in false /fake prophase.

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2 years ago

Lying isn't a good thing. Even when you're finally truthful, nobody will believe you.

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2 years ago

That why we should try as much as possible to be truthful in every situation we find ourselves

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2 years ago

Somehow the shepherd boy got what he bargained for. It is never good to play such trick on people, being truthful and honest won't cost us anything. The story has a lot of lessons it.

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2 years ago

Yes indeed he got what he bargained for. Deception will take an individual no where.

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2 years ago

That's very true Tom

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2 years ago

This story was one of my best when I was very young. Great morals to go with it. Reminds me to always be truthful in serious situations and keep guard my trusts

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2 years ago

We must learn to preserve the trust people have on us.

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2 years ago

I have heard of this story. It was story that had lessons in them. And like you rightly said: "A liar won't be believed even when he or she starts telling the truth."

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2 years ago

No one wants to be a fool in the eyes of others, when someone renders help to a person that took the help for granted and takes them for food, they won't bother to offer the same help again..

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2 years ago

It a big lesson to individuals who are fond of deceiving people.

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2 years ago

The boy who criers wolf what an important story with wonderful lesson

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2 years ago

Yes story has an important lesson for us to learn from

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2 years ago

ah, i know that. It is also told here as the story of the lying shepherd.

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2 years ago

Oh, it is great that you've also heard about the story

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2 years ago

Yeah dear.

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2 years ago