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The Goat and The Goatherd

A Goatherd attempted in vain to bring a stray back to the flock. He whistled and blew his horn to no avail. A last the Goatherd threw a stone which hit the goat's horn and broke it. He begged the Goat not to tell his master. The Goat replied, "the horn will speak for itself even if I am silent."

Townsend version

A Goatherd had sought to bring back a stray goat to his flock. He whistled and sounded his horn in vain; the straggler paid no attention to the summons. At last the Goatherd threw a stone, and breaking its horn, begged the Goat not to tell his master. The Goat replied, "Why, you silly fellow, the horn will speak though I be silent."

Moral

Do not attempt to hide things which cannot be hid.

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