In a peaceful village nestled at the foot of a lush green mountain, lived a young boy named Kavin. Every day, his task was to lead his flock of sheep to the high pastures. Kavin was a bright boy, but he had a mischievous habit of playing tricks on others for his own amusement.
One sunny afternoon, feeling bored while the sheep grazed, Kavin decided to stir up some excitement. He stood on a large rock and screamed at the top of his lungs, "Tiger! Tiger! Help me!"
The villagers, who were working in the nearby fields, dropped their tools and rushed toward the mountain, fearing for the boy's safety. They arrived breathless, clutching sticks and stones. "Kavin! Where is the tiger? Are you hurt?" they asked anxiously.
Kavin burst into laughter, pointing at their worried faces. "Haha! You should have seen your expressions! There is no tiger. I was just having some fun!" The villagers felt foolish and angry. "Do not play such dangerous jokes, Kavin," they warned before returning to their work.
Over the next few weeks, Kavin repeated this prank several times. Each time, the villagers ran to help, only to find Kavin laughing at them. Slowly, they lost their trust in him.
One evening, as the sun began to set, a real shadow emerged from the thick bushes. A large, hungry tiger was stalking through the grass, heading straight for Kavin. Realizing the danger, Kavin's blood ran cold. He screamed with all his might, "Tiger! Tiger! Please, help me!"
Down in the village, the people heard his cries. "He is playing that trick again," one man said. "Let him be," another replied. No one moved to help.
When Kavin did not return by nightfall, the villagers grew concerned. A small group went up the mountain to find him. They found Kavin trembling behind a bush, with the tiger circling closely. The villagers acted quickly, shouting and waving torches to scare the predator away. The tiger, startled by the sudden commotion, retreated into the forest.
Kavin fell to his knees, shaking with relief and regret. "I am so sorry," he sobbed. "I lied so many times that nobody believed me when I truly needed them. Thank you for saving me."
From that day on, Kavin became the most honest boy in the village, knowing that a person's word is their most valuable treasure.
Moral
A liar will not be believed, even when he speaks the truth.
