The Two Goats
Two Goats, playing happily on the rocky steeps of a mountain valley, happened to meet, one on each side of a deep chasm through which poured a mighty mountain torrent.
The trunk of a fallen tree formed the only means of crossing the chasm, and on this, not even two squirrels could have passed each other in safety.
The narrow path would have made the bravest tremble. Not so our Goats.
Their pride would not permit either to stand aside for the other.
One set her foot on the log. The other did likewise. In the middle, they met horn to horn.
Neither would give way and so they both fell, to be swept away by the roaring torrent below.
Moral of the story
It’s okay to give in: Sometimes, it’s better to yield than to face trouble due to stubbornness.
Avoid unnecessary conflict: Pride and stubbornness can lead to unfortunate outcomes.
Questions for the children
- Why do you think the Goats refused to let the other pass first?
- Can you think of a time when it was better to let someone else have their way to avoid problems?
Post Note: This story is based on Aesop’s fable, written around 600 BC. In this retelling, we’ve used simpler words to make the story easier for young readers to understand.
