Willie the Billy Goat
Value: Peace
The animals in the petting zoo loved the times when the children came to see
them. So when Mr. Henderson, the owner of the petting zoo, brought them Willie
the Billy Goat to join them, every one of the animals tried to help him learn
how to get the children to like him. At first, Willie didn’t understand why the
children ran away from him.
“Yesterday that little blond haired girl started crying when I came to see her.”
Willie complained to Chelsea the Chicken. “All I wanted to do is be her friend.”
“So when she came over to pet you, was she smiling?” Chelsea tried to help her
friend.
“Yes and I did my very best Billy Goat things to make friends with her.” Willie
complained. “I ran in circles. I butted into fence posts and rose up on my hind
legs and brayed and then to really let her know I was her friend, I ate her
dolly.” He said sadly having no idea why a little human girl wouldn’t like that.
“Why don’t you do what I do?” Chelsea advised her new friend. “Just cluck around
and peck the ground but don’t peck their shoes. They hate that. Then if its time
go to your nest and lay an egg.” She said proudly.
But Willie was pretty sure he could never lay an egg so he sought more advice.
“Well I think they are afraid you might butt them. Little girls are easily
frightened.” Said Peter the Puppy. “But here is what always works for me. Next
time we are all out there, join me and my brothers and sisters and yip and jump
up and down and pant with your tongue out and then when the children throw
sticks, run and fetch them and then roll over and show your tummy. They love
that.”
This seemed like very silly advice but Willie was new so he was willing to give
it a try. Things started going wrong right away though. When the Children threw
sticks, Willie outran all the puppies and ate the sticks which made the other
puppies angry. Panting with his tongue out made the children scream the word
“GROSS” which he didn’t understand. Then when it was time for all the puppies to
play together, Willie started butting them which is how Billy Goats play and the
puppies all ran away and hid and so did the children.
Willie was very sad and pouted all the next day. Finally, he was walking in the
field where Mr. Henderson put the animals to rest from being petting and he saw
Mr. Henderson sitting near the creek reading something. Willie walked up.
“Oh hello Willie. Are you having fun being a petting zoo goat?” He asked. Willie
just shook his head because humans can’t understand animal talk.
“I see. Is it because the boys and girls run from you when you butt them and eat
their toys?” Mr. Henderson guessed. Willie nodded.
“Willie, do you know what this book I am reading is?” He asked. Willie shook his
head although it looked like it might be good to eat. “Its called The Bible and
it has words from God who created us all. It has words to help you to Willie.
See the Bible says that if we think about God, our creator and praise him, that
His peace will live inside you and guard your heart. You want peace with the
children don’t you Willie?” Mr. Henderson asked and Willie nodded his head very
enthusiastically.
“It also says that you should make it your job to be at peace with all
creatures. You can do that Willie. When you are with the children, find out what
they like. If they don’t like butting, don’t do that then. Wait until you are in
private. If they don’t like for you to eat things they own, try not to. But all
children like touch animals and if you try to like them and find ways to get
them to smile, they will love you. That’s the secret of being a very popular
petting zoo goat Willie.”
And Willie learned his lesson well. Before long, he was the most popular animal
in the zoo and the children called his name and begged for him to come to them
to pet him and love him. Willie always made sure the children had smiles on
their faces when he was with them and what he found out is that he began to love
them from the inside. That peace and love of God that Mr. Henderson was talking
about was really coming out. Willie decided to sit with Mr. Henderson when he
read that book more and to never ever ever try to eat it.