Throwback: The Boy Who Cried Wolf

Summary

Stories Podcast: A Bedtime Show for Kids of All Ages

Episode: Throwback: The Boy Who Cried Wolf
Host: Amanda Weldon
Narrator: Daniel Hines
Release Date: June 26, 2025

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Introduction

In this nostalgic throwback episode of the Stories Podcast, Amanda Weldon welcomes listeners to revisit a timeless classic: "The Boy Who Cried Wolf." Narrated by Daniel Hines and produced by Jake Letizia, this retelling emphasizes the age-old lessons of honesty and the consequences of deceit, making it a perfect bedtime story for children and families alike.

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Story Summary

The episode begins with the introduction of a lonely shepherd boy tending to his flock of fluffy white sheep in a secluded field overlooking a quaint town by the sea. The boy's only companions are his sheep, and his visits to the town, though infrequent, are the highlights of his otherwise monotonous life.

Feeling isolated and craving attention, the boy devises a plan to alleviate his loneliness. Remembering his father's strict instructions to only visit town in case of an emergency, he decides to fabricate a crisis by crying out that a wolf is threatening his flock. This simple yet cunning idea quickly captures the attention of the entire town.

The townspeople, bringing whatever means they can to combat the supposed threat, rush to the field each time the boy cries "Wolf." Each false alarm initially brings amusement and relief to the boy, reinforcing his behavior. However, the situation escalates when, after multiple false alarms, a genuine wolf finally appears. This time, the boy's pleas for help fall on deaf ears, and the townspeople, weary of his previous deceptions, ignore his cries, leading to dire consequences for both the boy and his flock.

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Key Highlights and Notable Quotes

1. The Boy’s Loneliness and Initial Deception

The story opens by portraying the boy’s isolation:

"He was a very lonely boy, because other than the sheep, he had no one to talk to." [02:15]

Desperate for interaction, he hatches his plan:

"He would tell the town that he had seen a wolf. That may seem a silly lie to you, but wolves were the greatest enemy that shepherds had." [03:00]

2. The First False Alarm

The boy’s first attempt to gain attention:

"Wolf. Wolf. Here comes a wolf. The sheep, they are in trouble. Wolf, wolf. Here comes a wolf. Please send help on the double." [03:30]

The townspeople respond promptly, only to find no wolf, leading to disappointment:

"Little boy, little boy, you've made us rush and on the double. Now, where's this big bad wolf that's causing all the trouble?" [05:15]

3. Repetition of the Deception

Undeterred by the initial scolding, the boy repeats his deceit:

"Wolf, wolf one in his prime, please send help on the double. My, my flock is delicious and to a wolf nutritious." [06:45]

Another round of false alarms further strains the town’s trust.

4. The Real Threat and Its Aftermath

When a genuine wolf appears, desperation replaces deceit:

"A great, great beast. The sheep, they are in trouble. Wolf, wolf, down from the east, Please send help on the double." [07:50]

This time, his cries are ignored:

"Little boy, little boy, I told you what not to do. You've lied and cried wolf three whole times, and I no longer believe you." [09:30]

The boy is left to face the consequences of his actions alone, highlighting the story's moral.

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Insights and Conclusions

"The Boy Who Cried Wolf" serves as a powerful cautionary tale about the importance of honesty and the repercussions of lying. Through the boy's repeated deceptions, listeners learn that trust, once broken, is difficult to rebuild. The story underscores the value of integrity and the potential consequences when one’s words are no longer believed.

Amanda Weldon's gentle narration, combined with Daniel Hines' expressive storytelling, brings the ancient fable to life, making it accessible and engaging for today's young audience. This episode not only entertains but also imparts essential life lessons, reinforcing the podcast's mission to provide meaningful and imaginative content for families.

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Production Credits

• Narrator: Daniel Hines
• Producer: Jake Letizia
• Host: Amanda Weldon

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Support and Follow

If you enjoyed this episode, consider leaving a five-star review on iTunes, exploring the podcast's merchandise at storiespodcast.com/shop, or following Stories Podcast on Instagram @storiespodcast for more updates and interactive content.

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Thank you for listening to Stories Podcast: A Bedtime Show for Kids of All Ages. Sweet dreams and see you next week!

Transcript

[Daniel Hines]

Hello.

[Amanda Weldon]

Welcome to Stories Podcast. I'm your host, Amanda Weldon. Today's story is a throwback episode. Tune in to hear one of our classic stories from the archive that you might have missed the first time around. We have Stories Podcast merch, [e-mail] shop. We're also on cameo for all of your personalized video message needs.

[Daniel Hines]

And don't forget to follow us on.

[Amanda Weldon]

Instagram Stories Podcast if you send us a drawing of your favorite scene or character, we'll share it on our feed. Now here's a word from our sponsors.

[Narrator]

One of my favorite things to do in the summertime is head to the movies to see the newest blockbuster. And this summer is no different. On July 18, you can count on me to be the first in line at the theater to see Smurfs. I loved the Smurfs when I was little. In this movie, Papa Smurf is mysteriously taken by evil wizards and Smurfette, my favorite, obviously has to lead the Smurfs on a mission to save him and the universe. That already sounds amazing, but get Smurfette is voiced by none other than Rihanna Rihanna. And she is joined by some of my very favorites like John Goodman, Octavia Spencer, Natasha Lyonne, Nick Kroll, Amy Sedaris, and more. Smurfs is an action packed adventure that focuses on friendship, teamwork, finding yourself and being kind to each other. Truly something for everyone to enjoy. This is the perfect film for the entire family to see this summer. Filled with lots of comedy, heart and new music from DJ Khaled, book comic, Cardi B and of course Rihanna. I can't wait. Smurfs in theaters July 18 Parents I.

[Amanda Weldon]

Think we've all had those times when everyone in the family is off on their own personal devices. Wouldn't it be great if you could find an activity that everyone will agree on? Something that's both active and fun at the same time? Imagine that our family has found an amazing new solution called Next Playground. It's an active game system for families where your body powers the play. It's 100% motion driven gaming. No controllers or wearables needed. Just play naturally and the games are so great and immersive. Go flying in the world of how to train your dragon, dance with Barbie, pop bubbles in Gabby's dollhouse, or master some moves with Kung Fu Panda right from your living room. Even better, Next Playground is kids safe with no ads in app purchases or mature content. Next Playground is your feel good solution to those long summer days. Want to learn more? Visit nextplayground.com that's n-e xplayground.com to explore active family gaming today.

[Daniel Hines]

Thanks.

[Amanda Weldon]

Enjoy the episode.

[Daniel Hines]

The Boy who Cried Wolf Once upon a time, in a field that lay high above a town that lay high above the sea, there was a boy who tended a flock of fluffy white sheep. He was a very lonely boy, because other than the sheep, he had no one to talk to. If we're being completely honest. He tried talking to the sheep, but they never had much to say beyond the occasional grunt or ba. Day after day, he tended the flock, and day after day, he grew more and more bored. The only excitement in his life was when he and his father brought the sheep down the winding mountain trail to the quiet little town that lay high above the sea. Again, if we're being completely honest, it wasn't much of a town. There were only a hundred people in all, and that's counting the babes too young to walk and the elders too old to work. But to the boy, it was the most exciting place on earth. In the town, you could talk to people that would talk back and not just go ba. Plus, there was a temple and a stable and a general store that sold milk and oats and best of all, bright twists of saltwater taffy fresh from the sea. But unfortunately for the boy, visits to the town were only done a few times a year when there was wool to sell or supplies to buy. So the boy was lonely. Until one day he had an idea. His father had told him he must never go to town by himself except in an emergency. So all he had to do was make up an emergency and he could go. It was such a simple and perfect plan. The boy only wondered why he hadn't thought of it sooner. All he needed was an emergency. After a minute's thought, the boy knew exactly what to do. He would tell the town that he had seen a wolf. That may seem a silly lie to you, but wolves were the greatest enemy that shepherds had because they would sneak into the fields and eat up all their sheep, fluffy white wool and all. So the boy turned from his field and began to run down the winding mountain trail, yelling all the way down. Wolf. Wolf. Here comes a wolf. The sheep, they are in trouble. Wolf, wolf. Here comes a wolf. Please send help on the double. My flock is pasty and to a wolf quite tasty so please be hasty and. And help me. He yelled this all through the town. He yelled it through the temple. He yelled it through the stable. He even yelled it through the general store with the milk and oats and bright twists of saltwater taffy fresh from the sea. Before long, everyone in the town had gathered around the boy. Even the babes too young to walk and the elders too old to work. They listened to his cries, and then, as a group, started up the winding mountain trail, grabbing whatever weapons they could find. They grabbed canes and clubs and sticks and stones and axes and arrows and barking dogs on chains and even a single rusty sword that someone had in their attic. They made a great loud crowd as they came to the field way up in the mountain, and they were ready to fight off the wolf. But of course, there was nothing there. Nothing but happily grazing sheep. The leader of the group, the oldest and most respected person in town, turned to the boy and said, little boy, little boy, you've made us rush and on the double. Now, where's this big bad wolf that's causing all the trouble? The boy could only blush bright red and shrug his shoulders. The townspeople, realizing they'd been tricked, started back down the winding mountain road, grumbling complaints about the boy and the imaginary wolf. The boy acted embarrassed, but he was secretly delighted. One little run and he had the whole town to talk to. So a week later, when he was having another lonely spell, he decided to try it again. So the boy turned from his field and began to run down the winding mountain trail, yelling all the way down. Wolf, wolf, I'm sure this time the sheep, they are in trouble. Wolf, wolf one in his prime, please send help on the double. My, my flock is delicious and to a wolf nutritious. So please be expeditious and help me. He yelled this all through the town. He yelled it through the temple. He yelled it through the stable. He even yelled it through the general store with the milk and oats and bright twists of saltwater taffy from the sea. Before long, everyone in the town had gathered around the boy. Even the babes too young to walk and the elders too old to work. They listened to his cries, and then, as a group started up the winding mountain trail, grabbing whatever weapons they could find, they grabbed canes and clubs and sticks and stones and axes and arrows and barking dogs on chains and even a single rusty sword that someone had in their attic. They made a great loud crowd as they came to the field way up in the mountain, and they were ready to fight off the wolf. But of course, there was nothing there. Nothing but happily grazing sheep. The leader of the group, for the second time now, turned to the boy and said, little boy, little boy, you've made us rush and on the double. Now, where's this big bad wolf that's causing all the trouble? The boy could only blush bright red and shrug his shoulders. The townspeople, realizing they'd been tricked again, started back down the winding mountain road, grumbling complaints about the boy and the amount imaginary wolf. The boy acted even more embarrassed this time, but again, he was thrilled the trick had worked a second time. So a week later, when he was having another lonely spell, he decided to try it again. So the boy turned from his field and began to run down the winding mountain trail, yelling all the way down. Wolf. Wolf.

[Amanda Weldon]

For real.

[Daniel Hines]

For real. The sheep. They are in trouble. Wolf. My sheep will be a meal. Please send help on the double. My flock is squealing and to a wolf, appealing. So get your feet a reeling and help me. Now for a quick ad break. We'll be back with the rest of.

[Amanda Weldon]

The story after this. If you'd like Stories Podcast and other.

[Daniel Hines]

Favorite Kid Podcasts Ad Free. Subscribe to Wondery Kids on Apple Podcasts.

[Amanda Weldon]

Parents I think we've all had those times when everyone in the family is off on their own personal devices. Wouldn't it be great if you could find an activity that everyone will agree on? Something that's both active and fun at the same time? Imagine that our family has found an amazing new solution called nexplayground. It's an active game system for families where your body powers the play. It's 100% motion driven gaming. No controllers or wearables needed. Just play naturally and the games are so great and immersive. Go flying in the world of how to train your dragon, dance with Barbie, pop bubbles in Gabby's dollhouse, or master some moves with Kung Fu Panda right from your living room. Even better. Next Playground is kids safe with no ads in app purchases or mature content, Next Playground is your feel good solution to those long summer days. Want to learn more? Visit nextplayground.com that's n e xplayground.com to explore active family gaming today.

[Daniel Hines]

He yelled this all through town. He yelled it through the temple. He yelled it through the stable. He even yelled it through the general store with the milk and oats and bright twists of saltwater taffy fresh from the sea. Before long, everyone in town had gathered around the boy, even the babes too young to walk and the elders too old to work. They listened to his cries and even though they had been fooled twice before, they started up the winding mountain trail, grabbing whatever weapons they could find. They grabbed canes and clubs and sticks and Stones and axes and arrows and barking dogs on chains and even that single rusty sword that someone had in their attic. They made a great loud crowd as they came to the field way up in the mountain, and they were ready to fight off the wolf. But of course, there was nothing there. Nothing but happily grazing sheep. The leader of the group, for the third time now, turned to the boy and said, little boy, little boy, you've made us rush. And on the double now. Where's this big bad wolf that's causing all the trouble? The boy could only blush bright red and shrug his shoulders. The townspeople, realizing they'd been tricked again, started back down the winding mountain road, grumbling complaints about the boy and the imaginary wolf, all but the leader. He turned to the boy again and said, you've made us fools three times, and three times pays for all. So do not look to us again. Do not come and do not call. And with that, he turned and left the boy alone again. The boy acted embarrassed and he acted sorry, but he didn't really believe the leader of the town. After all, what had worked three times would surely work a fourth time, too. So the next week, the boy started to feel lonely again. But before he could decide to head down into the town crying wolf, he saw a dark shape emerge from the woods at the edge of the fields. The boy didn't believe his eyes at first, but there was no mistaking it. There, standing amongst his beloved flock, standing nearly as tall as his shearing shed, was a giant mountain wolf. So the boy turned from his field and began to run down the winding mountain trail, yelling all the way down, wolf, wolf. A great, great beast. The sheep, they are in trouble. Wolf, wolf, down from the east, Please send help on the double. My flock, all fleeced, is to a wolf a feast. So please at least come help me. He yelled this all through the town. He yelled it through the temple. He yelled it through the stable. He even yelled it through the general store with the milk and oats and bright twists of saltwater taffy fresh from the sea. Before long, everyone in the town had gathered around the boy. Even the babes, too young to walk and the elders too old to work. They looked at the boy, shaking and crying and screaming in their midst and then rolled their eyes and walked away. The boy yelled and yelled and yelled for help, but no one would listen. At last, the leader of the town came to him. The boy looked him in the eye and said, leader. Oh, leader, take pity on youth, for this time of all times. I'm telling the truth. But the leader only looked at him with a sad smile and said, little boy, little boy, I told you what not to do. You've lied and cried wolf three whole times, and I no longer believe you. The End. This classic cautionary tale was retold by Daniel Hines and produced by Jake Letizia. I'm your narrator, Amanda Weldon.

[Amanda Weldon]

If you would like to support Stories podcast, you can leave us a five star review on itunes. Check out all of our merch [e-mail] Shop Commission a special video on Cameo. Follow us on Instagram oriespodcast or simply tell your friends about us.

[Daniel Hines]

Thanks for listening.