Koza-Dereza, the Lying Goat

Koza-Dereza, the Lying Goat

Once there lived an old man, his wife, and their two sons. One day the old man went to the fair and saw a goat: white and lively, with shining eyes and sharp little horns. “A fine goat,” he thought. “Now we'll have milk.” He bought her and brought her home. The next morning he called his elder son. “Take Koza-Dereza out to graze. Make sure she has plenty of grass and water.” The boy led the goat to a green meadow. She ate clover, nibbled tender leaves, and drank from a clear stream. At evening he brought her home. The old man waited by the gate. “My dear little goat, my lovely little goat, have you had anything to eat or drink?” The goat twisted her lips. “No, Grandfather, I haven't eaten or drunk! As I ran across the bridge, I snatched one maple leaf. As I crossed the dam, I swallowed one drop of water. That's all!” The old man frowned. “How can that be? I told him to feed you well.” He called his elder son. “Why is the goat hungry?” “But she grazed all day!” the boy said in surprise. “And she drank water.” The old man believed the goat. “Tomorrow someone else will take her.” The next day he sent his younger son. The boy chose an even better meadow, brought the goat to water, and watched over her until evening. Yet at the gate Koza-Dereza repeated her complaint. “I haven't eaten or drunk! Only one little leaf and one drop of water!” “Did you disobey me too?” asked the unhappy old man. “No!” the younger son protested. “She went to the stream twice!” The old man was more puzzled than ever. On the third day his wife took the goat. She found the juiciest grass, gave her water, and spoke kindly. “Eat, Koza-Dereza, and grow strong.” But that evening the goat declared: “I've had nothing to eat and nothing to drink!” The old woman threw up her hands. “Well, this is extraordinary!” Then the old man wondered whether the goat was turning them all against one another. On the fourth day, he took her himself. She ate so busily that only her ears moved. She drank at the pond, then nibbled grass for a long time afterward. The old man went home by a shortcut and reached the gate before her. When she arrived, he asked again: “My dear little goat, have you eaten and drunk?” Not realizing that he had seen everything, Koza-Dereza began: “No, Grandfather! Only one little leaf and one drop of water!” Now he understood. “Aha, Koza-Dereza! You've been making it all up. We nearly quarreled because of you!” He called his wife and sons at once. “Forgive me for not checking sooner. I should have listened to you before getting angry.” Then he told the goat: “You cannot live by telling lies in this yard.” Seeing her trick exposed, the goat slipped through the gate and ran into the forest. On she ran until she found Fox's pretty little cottage. Fox was out. The goat went inside, climbed onto the stove, and settled down as if she owned the place. When Fox returned, she heard stamping. “Who's in my house?” Koza-Dereza answered in a dreadful voice: “I'm Koza-Dereza! I stamp my feet and toss my horns! When I come charging from this stove, You'd better run before you're thrown!” Fox was frightened and fled. She sat beneath an oak and cried. Wolf came along. “Why are you sad, Fox?” “A terrible beast has taken over my cottage. I can't get it out.” “I'll deal with it!” Wolf said bravely. He approached the door. “Who's there?” “I'm Koza-Dereza! I stamp my feet and toss my horns!” Oh, she must be fearsome, thought Wolf, and backed away. Then Bear came. He was big and strong, but when he heard the thumping and the dreadful voice from the stove, he decided: “Better not risk it.” Even Lion, who happened to be traveling through the forest, peered into the cottage. The goat hammered her hooves so loudly that he stared. “I can't see the creature, but it makes enough noise for the whole forest. Best leave it alone.” Fox grew very sad indeed. Then along the path came Rooster in his red boots. “Why are you crying, Fox?” She told him everything. “Wolf couldn't help. Bear couldn't help. Even Lion wouldn't go inside.” “I'll try,” said Rooster. “But you're so small!” “Small doesn't mean frightened.” Rooster walked to the cottage, stood tall, and crowed: “Cock-a-doodle-doo! My red boots are coming through! If you've taken someone's home, Face its owner—out you come! Stop your shouting, Goat, I say. Time to tell the truth today!” Koza-Dereza peered down from the stove. Rooster was not afraid at all, and suddenly she did not know what to say. “I... I was only joking.” “A joke makes everyone laugh,” Rooster replied. “If it makes someone cry, it isn't a joke anymore.” The goat quietly climbed down, left the cottage, and went away along the forest path. Fox returned home. “Thank you, Rooster! How did you keep from being afraid?” “I thought first and got frightened afterward,” he said with a laugh. “Then I realized that someone truly strong doesn't hide in another person's house and shout in a scary voice.” Koza-Dereza wandered for a long time looking for a place to stay. They say she eventually understood that a lie might frighten someone once or twice, but it could never earn trust. And the old man remembered a different lesson: before becoming angry with those you love, find out whether you have been told the truth. Now our tale is finished, and anyone who listened knows that a loud voice does not make someone right.

May this story leave a little light in your heart ✨