The story “A Horse and Two Goats” by R.K. Narayan is a poignant exploration of communication, misunderstanding, and the vast cultural chasm between East and West, all set against the backdrop of a sleepy South Indian village. While the title might suggest a simple tale of livestock, it delves into much deeper themes, presenting a scenario where a transaction, seemingly straightforward, unravels due to fundamental differences in perspective and language. The narrative hinges on a chance encounter between an American tourist and a local villager, highlighting the complexities that arise when two worlds collide.
The Encounter in Kyapur
The story unfolds in the small, dusty village of Kyapur, where life moves at a slow, unhurried pace. Muni, an old man who barely makes ends meet, spends his days idly sitting outside a temple, weaving baskets and occasionally spinning tales to a captive audience of children. His primary companion in these quiet moments is his pair of goats, which, along with his basket-weaving, form the sum total of his economic activities. Muni’s life is one of simple routines, punctuated by his longing for a customer who might alleviate his perpetual poverty.
One sweltering afternoon, his monotonous existence is shattered by the arrival of a red-and-yellow taxi, a jarring spectacle in the tranquil village. Out steps an American tourist, a man of commerce and efficiency, who is on a self-guided tour of India. This tourist, driven by a desire to collect authentic artifacts, spots Muni’s two goats. He has a penchant for collecting indigenous items, and the goats, perhaps in their humble simplicity, catch his eye.
The Miscommunication
The core of the story lies in the ensuing communication breakdown. The tourist, eager to acquire the goats, attempts to negotiate a price. However, he speaks no Tamil, and Muni understands no English. Their interaction becomes a pantomime of gestures, nods, and headshakes. The tourist, accustomed to clear transactions, believes he is bartering for the goats. He points, gestures the number “two,” and offers a sum of money. Muni, on the other hand, interprets the tourist’s interest differently. He sees the tourist admiring his goats, perhaps as fine specimens, and is flattered by the attention. When the tourist offers money, Muni assumes it’s a gift, a token of appreciation for his hospitality or perhaps a generous offering for his storytelling.
The tourist, mistaking Muni’s humble dwelling and simple possessions for signs of extreme poverty and a willingness to sell anything, believes he is striking a good deal. He envisions the goats as exotic souvenirs to take back home. Muni, meanwhile, is delighted by what he perceives as a generous gift, enough to finally buy himself a statue of the horse god he worships, a symbol of his deep-seated spiritual desires. The disparity in their understanding is immense, a chasm bridged only by flawed assumptions.
The Transaction and its Aftermath
The transaction is completed, with the tourist leaving with the two goats, believing he has acquired them for a fair price. Muni, clutching the money, feels a surge of elation. He heads to the local co-op, intending to purchase the long-desired statue of the horse god. However, the shopkeeper, a shrewd man, is skeptical of Muni’s sudden windfall. He questions Muni about how he acquired the money, and Muni, in his simple honesty, explains the encounter.
The shopkeeper, privy to the ways of the world and the potential for misunderstanding, explains to Muni that the tourist likely believed he was buying the goats. He points out that the tourist’s gestures and the money offered were for the animals, not as a gift. This revelation shatters Muni’s elation. He is left with the money, but the joy of his perceived spiritual acquisition is replaced by a profound sense of loss and bewilderment. The money, which was meant to bring him spiritual fulfillment, now feels like a burden, a symbol of his being taken advantage of, or worse, of his own naiveté. He is left with his solitary basket-weaving, the money having brought him no closer to his spiritual aspirations, and the goats, his only companions, gone.
Themes Explored in the Story
“A Horse and Two Goats” is rich with thematic depth. At its heart, it is a story about the failure of communication. The language barrier is not just a plot device; it’s a metaphor for the deeper, more fundamental disconnect between cultures and individuals. The American tourist and Muni operate with entirely different worldviews, assumptions, and expectations, making genuine understanding nearly impossible.
The story also explores cultural imperialism and economic disparity. The American tourist, representing the affluent West, arrives in a poor village, unknowingly imposing his own transactional logic onto a simpler way of life. His ability to travel and his presumed wealth make him a figure of power, even if unintentionally. Muni’s poverty makes him vulnerable, and his lack of understanding of the outside world leaves him susceptible to exploitation, even if the exploitation is born out of ignorance rather than malice.
Furthermore, the narrative touches upon spirituality versus materialism. Muni’s deepest desire is to buy a statue of the horse god, symbolizing his spiritual yearning. The tourist, on the other hand, is a collector, a man driven by the acquisition of material possessions. The money Muni receives could facilitate his spiritual quest, but the misunderstanding transforms it into a symbol of his material loss and his inability to connect with his spiritual aspirations.
The Significance of the Title
The title, “A Horse and Two Goats,” is itself layered with meaning. While the immediate plot involves two goats, the mention of a horse evokes Muni’s spiritual quest. The horse god represents a higher aspiration, a spiritual entity that Muni wishes to honor. The contrast between the earthly, tangible goats that are so easily misunderstood and traded, and the divine, symbolic horse god that represents Muni’s true desires, highlights the story’s central conflict. The story isn’t just about goats; it’s about the dreams and aspirations these simple creatures inadvertently represent, and how they get lost in translation.
The story serves as a powerful reminder of how easily misunderstandings can occur when people from different backgrounds attempt to interact. It underscores the importance of empathy, patience, and a genuine effort to understand, rather than to impose one’s own perspective. Narayan masterfully uses a simple village encounter to reflect on the broader complexities of human interaction in a globalized world.
