Once upon a time there was a boy named Zhumaaly. He loved to play pranks and tell jokes. But he especially loved to lie. He thought lying was the funniest thing to do. He lied all the time, as if he couldn’t help it.
One time, while everyone in the village was sleeping soundly, Zhumaaly went outside and loudly yelled, “Some wolves have attacked the cattle! Someone, help!”
People came running from left and right to save the cattle. But when they arrived they saw just Zhumaaly sitting by himself, happy that he had fooled all of them.
Another time, Zhumaaly woke everyone up at midnight saying, “People, watch out! There are massive mudslides coming down the mountains!”
All the villagers rushed to protect their families and evacuate their homes.When they came outside, they once again saw that it was just Zhumaaly lying to them as a joke.
Some people wanted to punish Zhumaaly, but the village elders disagreed. “Leave the liar alone. Sooner or later he will get what’s coming to him.”
One day, villagers heard Zhumaaly’s familiar voice yelling. “Help! Help! My house is on fire! I swear I’m not lying! The house is on fire!”
Since Zhumaaly always lied, everyone assumed he was lying again. Nobody went to help him.
The next day, people went outside and found Zhumaaly and his family crying. The house truly had burnt down.
The villagers decided that Zhumaaly had learned his lesson, so they helped him rebuild his house. Zhumaaly was moved by their kindness. They forgave him even after he had lied many times. He was so moved that he promised never to lie again.
