The Brahmin and the Goat

A Brahmin loaded a goat on his shoulders and was walking home. On the way, two cheats saw him and decided to steal his goat. It was day, so it was impossible to snatch the goat as many people were on the street.

The cheats followed the Brahmin and waited for him to enter a secluded place. He had to pass by a jungle. The cheats thought this spot was ideal for cheating the Brahmin. They stood at different parts of the road so the Brahmin didn't feel they were together.

One of the tricksters feigned surprise.

"Hello, why are you carrying this dirty dog?"  he asked the Brahmin.

"Are you blind?" snapped the Brahmin. "Don't you see I'm carrying a goat?"

"I see a dog, not a goat", said the cheat.

The Brahmin looked closely at the goat's face and the rest of its body.

"I strongly believe this is a goat, not a dog," he told the fraud. "You've never seen a goat before, or you’re mad. Anyway, let me go home."

The Brahmin was a little confused and proceeded on his way. The second cheat then approached the Brahmin.

"Oh God!" asked the former. "Why are you carrying this dead calf on your shoulders?"

Now, the Brahmin was alarmed; he no longer had faith in himself.

The Brahmin thought there was something strange about this creature. Perhaps it was a spirit that could change its appearance at will. He set the goat down on the ground and ran home. The cheats immediately caught the goat and took it with them.

Everyone should trust their own judgment.