a mischievous lad, who was set to mind some sheep, often used, in jest, to cry "wolf! wolf!" and when the people at work in the neighbouring fields came running to the spot he would laugh at them for their pains.
one day the beast came in reality, and the boy, this time, called "wolf! wolf!" in earnest; but the men, having been so often deceived, disregarded his cries, and he and his sheep were left at the mercy of the wolf.