The Three Goats

Abdi Kadar

Once upon a time there were three goats. The three goats were called Blacky, Horny and Shouty They lived in the forest where many predators like the hyena, the lion and the leopard existed in a larger population.

The three slept together, grazed together and helped each other in terms of hardships.

It was not long when one of their enemies, Hyena, decided to eat the three goats. In fact it was difficult for the hyena to eat the three goats because they were always together. Hyena thought for day and night but he could not get a way of eating the goats.

One day Hyena went to his friend Hare to discuss the issue of eating the goats. Hare who had a character trait of trickery and wisdom suggested to his friend that he would bring tonight Shouty alone so that Hyena can eat her alone and the next night Blacky so that the brave Horny will remain alone.

Hare went to the three goats and made good friends with them. He told Horny that Hyena was going to eat him tonight and you can’t hide away from him unless you chase Shouty away because she will shout and help Hyena to easily discover your hiding place.

Horny without thinking started chasing Shouty. Since she was afraid of Horny she went away. By nightfall Hyena came and ate Shouty. The next day Hare went to Black and told her that last night Hyena ate their friend Shouty and tonight he is going to eat Horny and if he finds you with him he will also eat you. Blacky thought for a while and decided to leave Horny alone.

Again Hyena came and ate Blacky after finding her alone in the forest followed by Horny the next night.

My story ends there.

Happening Now

  • In addition to becoming the Berlin LitFest’s first curator-in-residence, Helon Habila has also just received Kaduna Books and Art Festival’s KabaFest Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrating his "exceptional writing and significant contributions to the development of literature globally."

  • Congratulations to Enah Johnscott, whose film Half Heaven won three awards at the Cameroon International Film Festival—best film, best director, and best cinematographer.

  • We regret the passing, on April 11, 2024, of the distinguished Romanian author and critic Dan Cristea, who served as the editor in chief of the Luceafărul de Dimineață cultural monthly. In addition to being an alum of the 1985 Fall Residency, Cristea received his PhD in Comparative Literature at the University of Iowa.

  • Our congratulations to 1986 Fall Residency writer Kwame Dawes, who has been named the new poet laureate of Jamaica.

  • Congratulations to our colleagues Jennifer Croft and Aron Aji, who are among those serving as judges for the National Book Awards this year, in their case in the category of translated literature.

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