The phrase "the boy who cried wolf" refers to a famous fable attributed to Aesop. Here's a brief summary and the moral of the story:

The Boy Who Cried Wolf: Summary

A young shepherd boy was tasked with watching over a village’s sheep. Bored and seeking attention, he falsely shouted that a wolf was attacking the flock. The villagers rushed to help, only to find no wolf. The boy laughed at having tricked them. He repeated this false alarm several times. Eventually, a real wolf appeared and threatened the sheep. When the boy cried out for help, the villagers thought it was another false alarm and did not come. The wolf attacked the flock, and the boy learned a hard lesson about honesty.

Moral of the Story

• Don’t lie or exaggerate: Repeated dishonesty causes people to lose trust.
• Trust is earned and easily lost: Once credibility is damaged, even truthful warnings may be ignored.
• Be responsible: Taking your duties seriously is important for the safety and well-being of others.

If you want, I can provide the full text of the fable or discuss its variations and uses in literature and education!