The Two Goats

Through a green forest flowed a deep, fast river. The water rushed over the rocks with a loud Woosh! There was only one way to cross this river: a very narrow wooden bridge. It was made of a single fallen log, flattened on top. It was so narrow that only one animal could cross it at a time.

One morning, a Black Goat wanted to cross from the East side to the West side to eat the sweet clover there. At the exact same time, a Brown Goat wanted to cross from the West side to the East side to visit his grandmother. They both stepped onto the log bridge. They walked towards the middle. They met in the center, right over the rushing water.

Neither goat wanted to move back. “Let me pass!” said the Black Goat. “I stepped on the bridge first.” “No!” said the Brown Goat. “I am in a hurry. You go back.” “I never go back!” stamped the Black Goat. “I am stronger than you. Move aside!” “You move aside!” shouted the Brown Goat. “I am older than you!”

They glared at each other. Their eyes were angry. Instead of being wise, they lowered their horns. “If you don’t move, I will push you!” threatened the Black Goat. “Try it!” dared the Brown Goat. They charged. Bam! Their horns locked together. They pushed and shoved. They huffed and puffed. Ideally, one should have laid down to let the other pass, but they were both too stubborn and proud. They pushed left. They pushed right. The log was slippery and wet. Suddenly—SLIP! The Black Goat’s foot slipped. This pulled the Brown Goat down too. SPLASH! Both goats fell into the freezing cold river.

“Help! Help!” they bleated. The water tumbled them over and over. They were very wet, very cold, and very scared. They swam hard and finally dragged themselves onto the muddy bank—on the same side they started from. They stood there shivering, looking foolish. If they had just been kind, they would both be dry and happy on the other side. Now they were wet, miserable, and hadn’t gone anywhere.

Another Day, Another Bridge A few days later, two other goats met on the same narrow bridge. “Good morning,” said the first goat. “The bridge is too narrow for both of us.” “Yes,” said the second goat. “What shall we do?” “I will lie down,” said the first goat kindly. “You can walk over me very carefully.” “Thank you,” said the second goat. “That is very generous.” The first goat lay flat on the log. The second goat stepped gently over him. Then the first goat stood up. “Have a nice day!” shouted the second goat from the other side. “You too!” Both goats crossed safely and went on their way happy and dry.

Moral of the Story: Anger and stubbornness lead to sorrow. Kindness and compromise lead to success.