The Two Goats on the Narrow Bridge

Two goats, each crossing a narrow rope bridge over a deep ravine from opposite ends, met exactly in the middle, where the bridge was far too narrow for either to pass the other or turn around safely.

Neither goat was willing to back up and let the other cross first, each too proud and stubborn to yield even an inch of ground, insisting loudly that he had started crossing first and therefore deserved right of way. They argued and butted heads directly on the swaying bridge, each pushing forward rather than retreating.

Their combined stubbornness and thrashing finally shook the old bridge loose from its worn rope moorings, and both goats plummeted together into the ravine below, neither having gained anything at all from refusing to yield — a wiser pair, watching from the bank, remarked to each other that one goat lying down briefly to let the other step over would have cost only a moment's pride, while their mutual stubbornness had cost both their lives.