A Horse and Two Goats is one of the gems from R.K. Narayan`s table. The author has created an ocean of literature in his lifetime. And among its vast collection one drop is his short stories. The `A Horse and Two Goats` carries the conversation between Muni and a red-faced American with lots of differences in their thoughts; although the author Narayan carries out the conversation in most charming way and take it to its height. The title signifies the feeling of Muni when he was selling his two goats to the American though that was only a piece of statue.

The author R. K. Narayan is among many of Indian writer in English. But he has a special place in Indian history. This is because of the fact that as a novelist he maintained India`s essence in all his works rather than adopting traditional Western style. He was also an excellent short story teller. He wrote many short stories, which are published collectively under many headings. `A Horse and Two Goats` did not achieve a wide international audience until 1970 when it became the title story of R. K. Narayan`s seventh collection of short stories. It was `A Horse and Two Goats and Other Stories`. It reached an even wider audience in 1985 when it was included in Under the Banyan Tree, Narayan`s tenth and best-selling collection. By this time Narayan was well established as one of the most prominent Indian authors writing in English in the twentieth century. Narayan is best known for his fourteen novels, many of which take place in the fictional town of Malgudi Days. Many of the stories in his thirteen short story collections also take place in Malgudi, but `A Horse and Two Goats` do not. This accounts for the fact that the story has attracted very little critical commentary; however, all of the attention it has drawn has been positive. The story is seen as a fine example of Narayan`s deftness in creating engaging characters and humorous dialogue, but it is not considered one of his greatest works.

Synopsis of "A Horse and Two Goats" by R.K Narayan
This book `A horse and two Goats` were first published in Chennai, in a newspaper named `The Hindu` in 1960. The story presents a comic dialogue between Muni, a poor Tamil-speaking villager, and a wealthy English-speaking businessman from New York. They are engaged in a conversation in which neither can understand the others language. With gentle humour, Narayan explores the conflicts between rich and poor, and between Indian and Western culture as well. He was a fantastic writer. In his writings the characters used to get life. They breathe and live like normal people. The story of `A horse and two Goats` are told in two parts. The first one where the set up of Muni and his life in Kritam is described and the second part deal with the meeting of the businessman and Muni. The first part is mainly to give Muni a kind of depth, and also to make the second part credible to the readers. At the end, it would seem a victory for Muni, who is now in possession of more money than he has held in his life. Beneath the seeming victory, there can be another hidden meaning that ancient India is selling its heritage cheaply, at the cost of its spirituality. Some may point out that even prior to the arrival of the man for NY. There is a lack of interest by the people in the horse and warrior statue. And this may generate the need of the highways of present day.

Being published by the Bodley Head Ltd., Hind Packet Books, New Delhi, Viking Press, etc. this `A horse and two Goats` is a wonderful short story written by R. K. Narayan that includes a charming conservation between a native and a foreigner.

A horse and two Goats is regarded as Narayan`s short story. He was same conversant in writing short stories also. This is one of them. This book tries to give the touch of that era. To make the people understand about the difference between the society with a comical touch. It enlightens the society about many hidden facts as well as the culture as a whole.