John was a shepherd boy. He cared for his father's sheep. As there
were many wolves prowling about waiting for a chance to kill the
sheep, John had to be very watchful.
Some men were harvesting wheat in a field not far from where the
flock was feeding. One day they were startled by the cry, "A wolf!
a wolf!" They looked up and saw John motioning wildly to them and
pointing toward the sheep.
They threw down their sickles and ran to the flock. But they found
the sheep quietly grazing, and there was no wolf to be seen.
"Where is the wolf?" they asked.
"I didn't say the wolf was here,' replied John, and he laughed
loud and long as he saw the look of surprise in the men's faces.
"What do you mean, you young rascal, by fooling us so?" they
cried.
If they could have caught John, they would have given him a sound
whipping, but he had run out of their reach.