THE TWO GOATS
by Lida B. McMurry · from Fifty Famous Fables
Adapted Version
Once, there was a small stream. A little bridge went over it. Only one animal could cross the bridge. It was a very narrow bridge. Only one animal could cross at one time. This was important.
One morning, Black Goat came to the bridge. White Goat also came to the bridge. They came at the same exact time. They were on opposite sides of the bridge. They saw each other.
Black Goat looked at White Goat. Black Goat said, "I will cross now. I go first." He would not wait. He felt very strong.
White Goat looked back at Black Goat. White Goat said, "No, I will go first. You must wait." He would not wait. He felt very important.
Black Goat said, "I will not wait." White Goat said, "You will wait!" They were stubborn. They did not want to share the bridge. They both wanted to go.
Black Goat stepped onto the bridge. White Goat also stepped onto the bridge. They walked to the middle of the bridge. They met in the middle. They stood face to face.
White Goat said, "Go back! Let me cross!" He stamped his foot. Black Goat said, "No, go back!" He pushed White Goat hard.
They were very angry. Each goat moved back a little bit. They ran at each other very fast. Their heads hit hard. Their horns locked together. It was a big fight.
White Goat lost his step. He fell into the water below. Black Goat fell with him. Both goats fell down into the stream. The water was cold.
The water was very strong. The water swept them away. The goats were gone. No one saw them again in the water. They disappeared quickly.
So, Black Goat and White Goat were gone. This is why it is good to share. Always take turns. Bad things happen if you do not share. Be kind.
Original Story
THE TWO GOATS
A small stream ran between two hills. Over this stream there was a very narrow bridge. If two persons came to the opposite ends of this bridge at the same time, one must wait for the other to cross before he could go over.
One morning, two goats, a black one and a white one, reached the opposite ends of the bridge at the same moment.
The black goat called out to the white one, "Hold on a minute; I am coming over."
The white goat replied, "No, I will go over first; I am in a hurry."
"No," said the black goat, "I will not wait for you. I am the older."
"You shall wait for me," roared the white goat as he stepped upon the bridge and started across.
"We'll see if I am to wait for you," said the black goat, and he too started across.
They met in the middle of the bridge.
"Go back and let me cross,' said the white goat, stamping his foot.
"Go back, yourself," replied the black goat, and he pushed against the other.
They were very angry. Each drew back. Their heads came together with terrible force. They locked horns. The white goat lost his footing and fell, pulling the black goat over with him, and both were drowned.
Story DNA
Moral
Unwillingness to compromise and excessive pride can lead to ruin for all involved.
Plot Summary
Two stubborn goats arrive at opposite ends of a narrow bridge that can only hold one at a time. Both refuse to yield, insisting on their right to cross first. Their pride escalates into a physical confrontation on the bridge, leading them to lock horns. Ultimately, both goats lose their footing, fall into the stream below, and drown, a consequence of their unwillingness to compromise.
Themes
Emotional Arc
pride to tragedy
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This fable is a common motif found in various cultures, often attributed to Aesop, but this specific version is from an early 20th-century American collection of stories for children.
Plot Beats (10)
- A narrow bridge over a stream can only accommodate one traveler at a time.
- A black goat and a white goat arrive at opposite ends of the bridge simultaneously.
- The black goat asserts its right to cross first.
- The white goat counters, insisting it will cross first due to being in a hurry.
- Both goats refuse to wait, with the black goat citing age and the white goat roaring its defiance.
- Both goats step onto the bridge and meet in the middle.
- They demand the other go back, stamping feet and pushing.
- Driven by anger, they draw back and charge, locking horns.
- The white goat loses its footing and falls, pulling the black goat down with it.
- Both goats drown in the stream.
Characters
The Black Goat ★ protagonist
A sturdy, medium-sized goat with a robust build, covered in dense, short black fur. Its legs are strong and muscled, ending in dark hooves. It has a thick neck and a broad chest.
Attire: None, as it is an animal.
Wants: To assert its dominance and cross the bridge first, believing it has the right to do so due to its perceived age.
Flaw: Excessive pride and stubbornness, leading to an inability to compromise or back down, even when it means self-destruction.
Does not change; its stubbornness leads directly to its demise.
Stubborn, proud, assertive, confrontational, and unwilling to yield. It believes in its own seniority and right of way.
Image Prompt & Upload
A sturdy, medium-sized goat standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. It has a robust build, covered in dense, short black fur. Its face is typical of a goat, with dark, intelligent eyes and a short, bristly black beard. Two sharp, dark grey, curved horns spiral slightly upwards and outwards from its head. It stands with a confident, defiant posture, head held high, and a determined expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The White Goat ★ protagonist
A sturdy, medium-sized goat with a robust build, covered in dense, short white fur. Its legs are strong and muscled, ending in light-colored hooves. It has a thick neck and a broad chest.
Attire: None, as it is an animal.
Wants: To cross the bridge first because it is 'in a hurry,' asserting its right of way through force.
Flaw: Impatience and an aggressive, unyielding nature, leading to a fatal confrontation.
Does not change; its stubbornness and aggression lead directly to its demise.
Impatient, stubborn, aggressive, and equally unwilling to yield. It prioritizes its own urgency over courtesy.
Image Prompt & Upload
A sturdy, medium-sized goat standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. It has a robust build, covered in dense, short white fur. Its face is typical of a goat, with light-colored, determined eyes and a short, bristly white beard. Two sharp, light grey, curved horns spiral slightly upwards and outwards from its head. It stands with an impatient, aggressive posture, head slightly lowered as if ready to charge, and a defiant expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Narrow Bridge over a Stream
A very narrow, simple bridge spanning a small stream, connecting two hills. It's only wide enough for one creature to cross at a time.
Mood: Initially calm, then tense and confrontational, leading to tragic.
The two goats meet and refuse to yield, leading to their fatal confrontation.
Image Prompt & Upload
A rustic, very narrow wooden bridge, constructed from rough-hewn logs, spans a shallow, clear stream. The stream bed is visible with smooth river stones and pebbles. Gentle green hills rise on either side, covered in short, dewy grass and scattered wildflowers. Soft morning sunlight illuminates the scene from the left, casting subtle shadows under the bridge. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
