Literature: The Shepherd Boy's Tale

Study Notes

Shepherd: A person who tends and herds sheep, highlighted by the role of a young boy watching over a flock in a village setting.
Flock: Refers to a group of animals, specifically sheep in this context, indicating the collective nature of livestock cared for by a shepherd.
Village: A small community or group of houses, serving as the setting for the shepherd-boy's activities with his sheep.
Wolf: A wild carnivorous animal that is a threat to sheep, symbolizing danger in the narrative as the boy calls out for help.
Neighbours: Represents the members of the community who respond to the shepherd-boy's cries, illustrating the importance of collaboration and support in times of crisis.

Cried Out: The shepherd-boy's exclamation of "Wolf! Wolf!" signifies a warning to the villagers, introducing the theme of deception as he misuses their trust.
Laughed: Upon the arrival of the neighbours, the boy's reaction suggests a lack of seriousness and awareness of the potential consequences of his actions.
Lacerated: The wolf's attack causes severe injury to the sheep, emphasizing the threat posed by the predator and the gravity of the boy's cries for help.
Destroyed: The complete annihilation of the flock by the wolf illustrates the finality of the predator's attack and the irreversible loss faced by the shepherd-boy.
Alarmed: The shepherd-boy's genuine fear when the wolf appears serves as a turning point in the narrative, culminating in a vivid realization of the danger he had previously invited through his actions.