The Goat and the Wolf
Once upon a time, beyond the misty mountains, on steep crags that reached toward the sky, there lived a dappled goat. This goat glided over the steep slopes with nimble steps and joyfully grazed the freshest thyme in the cool wind of the heights. But in the deep valley below there roamed a cunning and sly wolf whose eyes gleamed with greed. For days the wolf had been making treacherous plans to hunt this clever goat and devour her. But climbing those steep and slippery crags was an impossible dream for him because of his heavy body. While the purple light of the sun lit up the steep slopes, the goat was again feeding on the most dangerous edge of the cliff. So as not to miss the opportunity, the wolf slowly approached the foot of the crag and put a false tenderness into his voice.
"O my graceful neighbor, I am so afraid that you will slip and fall up there that my heart aches," he called out. With a proud air the goat turned her head downward and calmly looked into the wolf's sly and hungry eyes. Continuing with his ornate sentences, the cunning wolf tried to deceive the goat: "Please come down to that cool and green meadow." "Around here there are delicious grasses perfect for you and waters that flow like crystal." From the very first moment the goat grasped the deadly intention that lay behind this sweet-tongued flattery. With a faint smile appearing on her face, she decided to give the answer that would defeat the wolf's feigned concern. "Your kindness and your care have brought tears to my eyes, dear neighbor," she called down from the top of the rocks.
"But your real intention is not to protect me; it is to fill your own hungry belly with me." The wolf, whose mask had fallen and whose game was ruined, howled with rage, yet he knew very well that he could not reach these high rocks. The clever goat, however, stayed on the safe heights and watched with a smile the desperate struggles of her cunning rival. The wolf, whose deceitful plan had ended in failure, withdrew hungry and miserable toward the dark depths of the forest. The goat, meanwhile, on her high rocks where she stood firm, felt the pride of living free and in safety. Those who are not taken in by an enemy's sweet words and never let go of caution are always protected from dangers. A wolf never makes a shepherd.