The Two Stubborn Goats Story
Read the classic fable The Two Stubborn Goats, beautifully retold with vivid illustrations and a gentle moral. A perfect short story for children about patience, wisdom, and working together.
You know goats, don’t you, children? Cheerful little creatures, but oh, so stubborn! Once a goat makes up its mind, it’s almost impossible to change it.
One sunny day, two goats from the same herd decided to go on an adventure. They wandered through the hills, leaping from rock to rock, climbing steep cliffs, and exploring the meadows. The sun shone warmly, and the wind whispered through the valleys as the goats hopped and played.
After a while, they grew tired and thirsty. They both headed toward the river that ran through the village. Across the river stood a narrow wooden bridge made of thin planks. It was so narrow that only one goat could cross at a time.
As fate would have it, the two goats reached the bridge from opposite sides at the same moment. They stopped and stared at each other. Neither wanted to give way.
The bigger goat lifted his head proudly and said,
“Step aside, little one! I will cross first.”
But the smaller goat shook his head.
“No way! I stepped onto the bridge first. You should let me pass,” he said.
The big goat frowned.
“I am older and stronger than you. Move aside!”
The smaller goat snorted.
“Older, maybe — but I’m just as strong, and just as stubborn!”
And so, the two goats stood nose to nose, refusing to back down. The river below roared, warning them, but they paid no attention.
Step by step, they edged closer until suddenly — Bang! The big goat butted the smaller one. Bang! The smaller goat fought back. The bridge creaked and shook under their hooves, but they kept fighting.
Finally, with a loud CRACK!, the bridge broke in the middle. Both goats fell into the cold, rushing water. The river carried them away, and neither reached the other side safely.
Some time later, two other goats came to the same bridge. They, too, began to argue about who should cross first. But this time, one goat stopped and said,
“Wait! This bridge is too narrow to fight. If we argue like the other two, we’ll both fall into the river. I have an idea.”
The wise goat lay down on the bridge while the other walked carefully over him. Both goats crossed safely to the other side.
Since then, the villagers have told their children:
“Being stubborn can bring trouble, my dear children.
Sometimes stepping back doesn’t mean losing — it means being wise.
Thinking ahead and working together helps everyone cross safely.”