The boy who cried "Wolf"

Another legendary story -

As I couldn't exactly remember the story, apart from the fact that he cries "wolf!" when there is no wolf so many times that when there finally is a wolf, no one comes to his aid, I decided to look up atleast some version of the story, because, I think there is more to learn from that story than just "Nobody believes a liar...even when he is telling the truth!"

I found the story here.

Now, its a nice story, lesson learnt, "do not lie".

Agreed, the boy lied about an unseen wolf. But, that is all he can do even if he really does see a wolf. So, dear villagers, you may have to put a few extra trips up the mountain, but isn't it better to be careful? Shouldn't you either reassign the task of taking care of the sheep to someone else? Or if that isn't possible (as can be the case in most other similar situations), shouldn't you actually make the extra trips up the mountain? Better be careful, than cry over spilt milk, right?

So I say, when the stakes are high, don't assume. Do what needs to be done, taking the worst possible situation into consideration. Learn the lesson from the villagers who lost their sheep (assuming they did :D). Don't get into a false sense of security, assuming its only a lie.

I learnt it at the cost of a major part of my life. Let it not happen to you.