The Boy Who Cried Wolf

There was once a young shepherd boy who tended his sheep at the foot of a
mountain near a dark forest. It was lonely for him watching the sheep all day. No
one was near, except for three farmers he could sometimes see working in the
fields in the valley below.
1

One day the boy thought of a plan that would help him get a little company and
have some fun. He ran down toward the valley crying, Wolf! Wolf!
2

The men ran to meet him, and after they found out there was no wolf after all,
one man remained to talk with the boy awhile.
3

The boy enjoyed the company so much that a few days later he tried the same
prank again, and again the men ran to help him.
4

A few days later, a real wolf came from the forest and began to steal the sheep.
The startled boy ran toward the valley, and more loudly than ever he cried, Wolf!
Wolf!
5

But the men, who had been fooled twice before, thought that the boy was
tricking them again. So no one came to help the boy save his sheep.
6

Answer the following questions based on the story you read above.
1. Which word from below could replace the word prank as it is used in paragraph
4?
a. rude
b. behavior
c. trick
d. study
2. What genre would this fictional story be?
a. realistic fiction
b. myth
c. fairy tale
d. fable
3. List 2 details from the story that support your answer to question 2.

4. Why did the boy cry wolf?

a. Because he was angry
b. Because he was lonely
c. Because he was scared
d. Because he was hungry
5. Which details below best support your answer to question 4? (Circle all that apply)
a. The men ran to meet him
b. It was lonely for him watching the sheep
c. The boy enjoyed the company
d. But the men, who had been fooled twice
e. More loudly than ever he cried, Wolf! Wolf!
f. One man remained to talk with the boy
6. What is the lesson of this fable?
a. Playing pranks will help you save your sheep.
b. It is difficult to trust someone who has lied before.
c. Lying is not easy to do with a wolf.
d. Honesty is the best policy.
7. List 2 details from the story that best support your answer to question 6.

8. What is the best meaning for the word company as it is used in paragraph 2?
a. a group
b. a business
c. someone to talk to
d. an animal