The classic teaching story tells of a tiger who was killed by a hunter as she was attacking a herd of goats. The tiger was pregnant and as she died, she gave birth to a cub. The cub grew up in the company of the goats. It was nursed by a nanny goat, and as it grew up, it ate grass and bleated like the goats. Gradually the cub became a huge tiger, but it continued to eat grass, bleat, and run away from predators, like all the other goats. One day a fierce tiger attacked the herd. It was amazed to see a tiger in the herd eating grass and running away with the goats at its approach. It caught hold of the grass-eating tiger, which bleated and tried to run away, and dragged her to the river and said, “Look at your face in the water. See you have the face of a tiger, exactly like mine!” Next it pressed a piece of meat into the tiger’s mouth. At first she refused to eat it, but then she got a taste of it, and relished it. The fierce tiger then said, “Now open your mouth and roar like me. Wake up and roar!”
In this story, living like a goat is living in a conditioned and bound way, unaware of your true nature. Going away with the fierce tiger is taking refuge with the guru, who is one’s true relative, and who awakens you to your true self. To see one’s face rightly is to know one’s true self.
In the Company of Goats Remix, feat. DJ Saraswati
Mama goat said: “You’re the prettiest goat of all. Don’t pay attention to those bullies who call you fat. You’re hefty but it is becoming. And surely they are jealous of your lush orange fur and stripes. But truly, I don’t know what to do about these digestive problems. I’ve never had a kid who couldn’t eat grass day in and out without problems. There is something different about you for sure.”
And Mama later: “Be a good goat and stay close. Keep the natural order and have some kids and we can all be in good company together.” (And unspoken, “Stay close and entertain me, please!!”)
Brother goat: “Your sharp teeth and claws don’t intimidate me because I make more money than you do!”
Papa goat: “Don’t worry about what your brother says—someday you too will make a lot of money. (And unspoken, “Though I don’t actually believe you will.”)
Husband goat: “Personally, I love your pussy-ish quality. I don’t know where it comes from, but I’m happy to bathe in it.”
After the Tiger saw her true face:
Mama goat: “I feel sad for you that you’re rejecting the love and connection of the goat community.”
Sister goat: “Some part of me always knew you were a tiger. I love you. I get it. Send me a postcard when you think of it.”
Enlightenment Fan Fiction 