Long ago, in the villages of the Benga people on Corisco Island, the animals often quarreled about strength and honor. Among them, none was more boastful than Goat. With his sharp horns curved proudly and his voice that echoed in loud bleats, Goat never missed a chance to tell others of his power. Whenever animals gathered under the shade of the great baobab tree, Goat stamped his hooves and declared, “No creature can stand against me! My horns are sharper than spears, my body stronger than the wind. I challenge anyone to test me.”
At first, the animals ignored his noise, but Goat’s boasting grew louder with each passing day. Finally, the council of animals decided to arrange a tournament so Goat could prove his claims once and for all. The plain near the river was chosen, its open ground wide enough for contests. Word spread quickly, and soon every animal prepared to witness Goat’s trial. Monkey swung through the trees in excitement, Leopard sharpened his claws on a rock, and Parrot screeched loudly, eager to spread the gossip.
READ THIS: Why Goats Became Domestic
When the day arrived, the sun rose high and bright. Animals gathered in a great circle around the field, their eyes glittering with anticipation. Goat pranced proudly into the center, his beard shaking with confidence, his hooves striking the earth with force. “Today,” he shouted, “I will show you all that Goat is the master of strength!” The crowd roared with mixed cries—some cheering, others muttering doubt.
The first opponent stepped forward: Dog, lean and fierce, his teeth bared. The signal was given, and Dog lunged. Goat lowered his horns and charged. The two collided with a thundering crack, dust rising around them. Goat pushed with all his might, and Dog snarled and strained, but after a long struggle, Dog slipped aside, panting. Goat lifted his head triumphantly and pranced about, bleating, “Who can match me now?”
Next came Antelope, swift and graceful, her horns long and polished. She circled Goat quickly, her hooves kicking up dust. Goat grew dizzy watching her speed, but when she leapt forward, Goat met her with a fierce thrust of his horns. Antelope stumbled, her legs buckling under the blow, and she retreated with lowered head. The crowd gasped as Goat reared proudly, his chest swelling with pride.
Opponent after opponent tried and failed. Monkey attempted to leap on Goat’s back but was tossed aside into the dirt. Hyena laughed and taunted but could not withstand Goat’s furious charges. Even Boar, heavy and strong, was pushed backward until he gave up the fight. Each victory made Goat louder and prouder. He strutted about the field, shouting, “Am I not the champion? Am I not the strongest of all?”
But the tournament was not yet finished. At last, old Tortoise stepped forward. The crowd burst into laughter. “Tortoise? He will be crushed before the fight begins!” cried Parrot, squawking until his feathers shook. Leopard yawned and muttered, “This will be no contest.” Goat himself sneered, his beard trembling with scorn. “Why waste my time on this crawling shell? I will finish him with a single blow.”
The signal was given. Goat charged forward, horns lowered like spears. Dust flew, the ground shook, and animals shouted in excitement. But just before Goat struck, Tortoise pulled back into his shell and crouched low against the earth. Goat’s horns smashed hard against the shell with a crack that echoed through the field. Pain shot through Goat’s head, and he staggered back, dazed. The crowd fell silent.
Again Goat charged, and again Tortoise tucked himself in, steady and unmoving. Once more the horns struck the shell, and once more Goat stumbled away, his skull ringing. He tried again and again, but each blow only hurt him more. His horns grew chipped, his head throbbed, and his breath came in heavy pants. At last Goat collapsed on the ground, groaning in defeat.
Slowly, Tortoise lifted his head out of the shell, calm and unharmed. He looked at Goat and said softly, “Strength and boasting do not win every contest. Sometimes it is patience and resilience that bring victory.” The crowd erupted in cheers, praising Tortoise’s wisdom and courage. Goat, humiliated, lay silent. His pride had led him into foolishness, and his boasting had been silenced at last.
From that day, the animals of the Benga remembered Goat’s tournament. They told their children of how pride can lead to downfall, and how even the strongest may be defeated by the simplest wisdom. Goat remained noisy, as goats often are, but never again did he boast of being the master of all.
Moral Lesson
The tale of Goat’s Tournament teaches that arrogance and pride often lead to downfall. True strength is not in loud boasting but in patience, wisdom, and endurance. Even the strongest can be overcome by resilience and humility.
Knowledge Check:
Why did the animals decide to hold a tournament for Goat?
Because Goat constantly boasted of his strength, and the animals wanted him to prove his claims.Which opponents did Goat defeat before facing Tortoise?
He defeated Dog, Antelope, Monkey, Hyena, and Boar, each with his strength and horns.How did Tortoise prepare for Goat’s attack during the contest?
Tortoise withdrew into his shell and crouched low against the ground, letting Goat injure himself.Why did Goat lose the tournament against Tortoise?
Because his pride blinded him, and his repeated charges against the hard shell left him weak and defeated.What did Tortoise teach the animals after the contest?
That patience and resilience are stronger than pride and boasting.What is the main moral of Goat’s Tournament?
That arrogance leads to downfall, while wisdom and humility lead to lasting victory.
Source: Benga folktale, Corisco Island, Equatorial Guinea (recorded by Robert H. Nassau, 1914).
