The Boy Who Cried Wolf
A free A2-level English story for language learners, readable online in 7 languages, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.
A bored shepherd boy amuses himself by tricking the village into thinking a wolf is attacking his flock — until a real wolf finally shows up.
A Shepherd Boy tended his master's sheep near a dark forest not far from the village.
Soon he found life in the pasture very dull. All he could do to amuse himself was to talk to his dog or play on his shepherd's pipe.
One day he thought of a plan that would give him a little excitement. He ran toward the village shouting, "Wolf! Wolf!"
The villagers came running with clubs to chase the wolf away. But when they arrived, they found the Boy laughing at them. There was no wolf at all.
A few days later the Shepherd Boy tricked the villagers again, and again they ran to help him, only to be laughed at once more.
Then, one evening, a wolf really did come out from the forest. In terror the Boy ran toward the village shouting, "Wolf! Wolf!" But the villagers thought he was tricking them again, and nobody came to help.
The wolf made a fine meal of the Boy's flock, and the Boy cried all the way home.
Nobody believes a liar, even when he is telling the truth.
