Aesop

The She-Goats and Their Beards

Summary

This fable tells the story of how she-goats were granted the privilege of having beards, similar to their male counterparts, the he-goats. However, this development displeased the he-goats, who felt that their distinctive mark of dignity was being undermined. They brought their grievance to Jupiter, who responded by allowing the she-goats to have their beards but emphasized that this did not make them equal in strength or courage to the he-goats. The fable highlights themes of superficial equality versus genuine ability, suggesting that outward appearances or symbols do not necessarily convey true equality in capability or value. It underscores the idea that true equality is rooted in substance and not merely in appearance or emblems of distinction.

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The She-Goats having obtained a beard by request to Jupiter, the He-Goats were sorely displeased and made complaint that the females equaled them in dignity. “Allow them,” said Jupiter, “to enjoy an empty honor and to assume the badge of your nobler sex, so long as they are not your equals in strength or courage.”

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