The Goat and the Goatherd
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 Goat and the Ass
In "The Goat and the Ass," a story often shared as a childhood tale with moral lessons, a Goat envies the Ass for its better food and persuades it to pretend to be ill to escape hard labor. The Ass follows this misguided advice, injuring itself in a ditch, which ultimately leads to the Goat being killed to treat the Ass's wounds. This culturally significant moral story illustrates the dangers of envy and the consequences of poor decisions, making it a valuable lesson for kids and students alike.
The Thistles upon the Grave
In the very short moral story "The Thistles upon the Grave," a Mind Reader wagers that he can be buried alive for six months, using thistles to secure his grave against disturbances. However, after only three months, he emerges to eat the thistles, losing the bet and illustrating the folly of underestimating basic needs. This simple short story serves as a reminder that even the most clever plans can be undone by simple desires, making it a notable example among famous moral stories for class 7.
The Lion and the Fox
In "The Lion and the Fox," an engaging moral tale, a Fox partners with a Lion, helping him locate prey while the Lion captures it. Jealous of the Lion's share, the Fox decides to hunt independently but ultimately fails and becomes prey to hunters and their dogs. This short and sweet moral story reminds students that envy can lead to one's downfall.
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.