On a running gag

[madcuriosity]

Well why would anyone want to be called a goat?

Comments

[quotetheraven]

I believe that a goat would enjoy being called such.

[madcuriosity]

Mr. Poe! [Excited!] It's wonderful to see you, sir! Ah... and yes, a goat most certainly would like it. But I am not a goat... of that I am most certain.

[quotetheraven]

It is good that you seem to enjoy my presence.

Really? And what makes you believe that you are not of goat-kind?

[madcuriosity]

There's quite a bit to enjoy.

And I know I'm not a goat. I don't have horns or a beard like a goat, I've not hooves as a goat, and I certainly don't baa or eat everything in sight. So logically, I simply cannot be a goat!

[quotetheraven]

[She would be one of the few to believe so.]

You may not have the features of one. However that does not necessarily mean that you can not be called one.

[madcuriosity]

Calling a fish a frog doesn't make it any less of a fish or any more of a frog, Mr. Poe. I could be called a good many things but that certainly doesn't mean I am one. And saying it over and over doesn't make me any more of a goat or any less of a little girl!

You really must say what you mean and contrary wise, you must mean what you say. But those are not one and the same.

[quotetheraven]

It's nearly a name is all. A nickname at that. People often do such strange things, it helps to bring meaning to a person or object, nothing more. You mustn't take things too literally.

[madcuriosity]

Yes, but if it's to be a name I'm often called, I want it to be something I like. And what I don't like is being called "kid." It isn't even elegant or nice. It sounds really very... silly, honestly.

[As for that last statement, Mr. Poe has never been to the Looking Glass or Wonderland, he's very lucky he's speaking with her instead of one of its inhabitants. They're all about literal meanings.]

[quotetheraven]

Is it meant to sound like anything else?

[Then the denizens of Wonderland have never met Poe.]

[madcuriosity]

It isn't meant to be a name for a child.

[quotetheraven]

But of course it is!

[madcuriosity]

A goat maybe for a baby goat, certainly, but not for me.