MoralFables.com

The Goat and the Goatherd

fable
1 min read
0 comments
The Goat and the Goatherd
0:000:00

Story Summary

In "The Goat and the Goatherd," a goatherd's attempt to retrieve a stray goat culminates in the accidental breaking of its horn, leading him to plead for silence. However, the goat wisely reminds him that the broken horn will reveal the truth, illustrating a culturally significant moral about the futility of concealing what cannot be hidden. This entertaining moral story serves as a thought-provoking reminder that some truths are inescapable.

Click to reveal the moral of the story

You cannot conceal the truth; it will eventually be revealed.

Historical Context

This fable, attributed to Aesop in ancient Greece, reflects moral lessons common in storytelling traditions where animals represent human traits. The story's theme of inevitable truth and the futility of deception resonates across various cultures, paralleling similar tales like those found in the Panchatantra of India, highlighting the universal nature of honesty and the consequences of dishonesty.

Our Editors Opinion

This story highlights the futility of trying to conceal wrongdoing, as the truth often reveals itself despite our best efforts. In modern life, an employee might try to cover up a mistake at work, only for the error to come to light through an audit, demonstrating that dishonesty ultimately leads to greater consequences.

You May Also Like

The Tortoise and the Eagle

The Tortoise and the Eagle

In "The Tortoise and the Eagle," a tortoise yearning to fly persuades an eagle to teach her, promising riches in return. However, when the eagle drops her from great heights, she realizes too late that her aspirations were beyond her abilities, leading to her demise. This very short moral story serves as a wisdom-packed reminder for young readers that aspiring for what one cannot handle can often lead to ruin.

ambition
consequences
Tortoise
Eagle
The Hen and the Golden Eggs

The Hen and the Golden Eggs

In this wisdom-packed moral story, a cottager and his wife, driven by greed, decide to kill their Hen that laid a golden egg every day, believing it must contain a treasure inside. However, they learn a valuable lesson when they discover the Hen was just like their other hens, ultimately depriving themselves of their daily wealth. This unique moral story highlights the dangers of impatience and greed, offering impactful lessons learned from stories that entertain while teaching.

greed
impatience
Cottager
Cottager's wife
The Ass and the Grasshoppers

The Ass and the Grasshoppers

In "The Ass and the Grasshoppers," a Statesman, inspired by the joyful singing of Labourers, seeks to find happiness through honesty, a theme prevalent in motivational stories with moral lessons. However, his newfound commitment leads him to poverty and despair, illustrating that while heartwarming moral stories often celebrate integrity, the consequences can be dire. This short and sweet moral tale serves as a cautionary reminder for students about the complexities of honesty and its impact on life.

honesty
happiness
Statesman
Labourers

Other names for this story

The Silenced Horn, The Goatherd's Dilemma, Secrets of the Goatherd, The Goat's Warning, Unhidden Truths, The Stray Goat's Lesson, The Goatherd's Folly, When Horns Speak

Did You Know?

This fable illustrates the theme of the inevitability of truth, emphasizing that attempts to conceal one's actions or mistakes are futile when evidence exists, as symbolized by the broken horn that will reveal the goatherd's wrongdoing.

Subscribe to Daily Stories

Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.

Explore More Stories

Story Details

Age Group
kids
children
story for class 2
story for class 3
story for class 4
Theme
honesty
consequences
foolishness
Characters
Goatherd
Goat
Setting
pasture
hillside
village

Share this Story