The Bearded Goats
Once upon a time, on the top of a high mountain beyond the green valleys, cheerful flocks of goats lived. The she-goats that wandered on the rocky paths of this mountain looked with admiration at the long and majestic beards on the chins of the he-goats. They gathered among themselves and spoke with excitement about how they too should have this beautiful ornament. At last one day they came before the great being who was the wise judge of the mountains, in order to express their wish. Bowing with respect, they sincerely begged him to grant them showy beards like the ones of the males. The wise judge of the mountains did not refuse this lovely wish of the she-goats and accepted their request at once.
When they woke up the next morning, soft and bright beards began to grow on the chins of the she-goats. The she-goats, proud of their new look, bleated joyfully and walked with pride in the meadows. But when the he-goats saw this situation, they were seized by a great surprise and anger. Thinking that they had lost the privilege of their showy beards, they at once ran to the wise judge. The he-goat who was the leader of the flocks expressed his objection out loud with a voice full of jealousy. “My lord, how can you give this title and honour, which belongs to us, to the she-goats?” he asked.
“What difference is left between us and them now, so that we may show ourselves with our majesty in the mountains?” he said in reproach. The wise judge smiled at the angry he-goats and answered with a calm voice. “What harm is there if they too enjoy this unimportant outward look and this empty ornament?” he said. “The fact that there are beards on their chins does not take your strength and your courage from your hands,” he added. “Even if the outward look is similar, real strength and leadership will always stay hidden in your heart,” he calmed them with these words. Upon these deep words the he-goats understood their mistake and went back in silence to the rocky roads. True worth is hidden not in the ornaments outside, but in the strength and firmness in the core of a person. If a beard made a man, the goat would be a grandfather.