Custodiet

The boy wanted to find a wolf. He was the guardian, the protector of the village from the lupine menace, tasked with the security of his flock and his people. He would find that wolf, call it out, summon the town to his aid and be the big hero who hunted down the wolf at long last.

The wolf was everywhere. A fleeting shadow under a tree; a whistling in the wind; a glint of imminent panic in a lamb's eye. The boy diligently sounded the alarm each time; and every time the village hunters rode forth, chased down the phantom, and returned empty-handed.

This went on for some time, ( but the boy never lost hope. )