A Horse and Two Goats is a short story written by RK. Narayan, an Indian author whose work focused on life in India during the British Raj. The story is set in a small Indian village, where the village headman attends to the needs of his people. The story follows the aging villager Muni, who one day meets a foreign tourist with a horse and two goats. The tourist is looking for a place to stay, and Muni offers his hut in exchange for a bag of coins. Despite the offer of a good deal, the tourist insists on bargaining with Muni, who eventually has to beg to get his original offer accepted.
The story of A Horse and Two Goats is one of humility, humor, and culture. For example, the story teaches us about the importance of hospitality in Indian culture. Muni shows his generosity by offering his humble hut in exchange for coins. Although the offer is a good one, the tourist insists on bargaining. This shows us how bargaining is an integral part of both Indian and English cultures, as well as how it is an accepted way to haggle over prices.
Furthermore, the story reflects the classic theme of the traveler versus the local. The foreigner is wealthy, educated, and well-traveled, while Muni is an aging villager with limited education and a simple lifestyle. Despite their differences, the two are able to come to a mutually beneficial agreement (the exchange of coins for a night's stay at Muni's hut).
Finally, A Horse and Two Goats serves as a satire about the power of money and culture. The tourist is used to getting what he wants with money, and expects to be able to haggle with Muni to pay a lower price for his hut. Muni, however, is not familiar with the concept of bargaining and only agrees to accept the coins once he begs for it.
To sum it up, A Horse and Two Goats is a story about culture, humbleness, and the power of money. It is a story that reminds us of the importance of hospitality and understanding, as well as how different cultures can come to a mutual understanding.
1. Understanding and Accepting Cultural Differences: This essay topic can discuss how A Horse and Two Goats exemplifies the importance of understanding and accepting cultural differences. It can discuss the amusing yet meaningful interaction between Muni and the tourist, and how the two characters were able to come to an agreement despite their vastly different backgrounds.
2. The Power of Money and Culture: This essay topic looks at how the story reflects the power of money and culture. It can explore how the tourist is used to haggling and bargaining in order to get the best prices, while Muni is unfamiliar with such concepts and only agrees to accept the coins once he begs for it.
3. Humility and Generosity: This essay topic can focus on the importance of humility and generosity highlighted in the story. It can discuss how Muni freely offered his humble hut to the tourist, despite the fact he could have earned a good deal of money, and how the tourist insisted on bargaining.
4. Satire and Humor: This essay topic looks at how the story is an example of satire and humor. It can explore how the story takes gentle jabs at the differences between two cultures, but also how it manages to be funny, entertaining, and thought provoking.
5. The Traveler Versus the Local: This essay topic looks at the classic theme of the traveler versus the local. It can discuss how the foreigner is wealthy, educated, and well-traveled, while Muni is an aging villager with limited education and a simple lifestyle. It can also explore how the characters were still able to reach a mutual understanding despite their differences.