The Old Goat by Charles L. Fontenay
The Old Goat is a novel by Charles L. Fontenay that tells the story of an elderly man, John, who is struggling to come to terms with his age and the changes it brings. He is a retired professor who has been living alone in his home for many years. He is content with his life, but he is also lonely and feels disconnected from the world around him. One day, John meets a young woman named Sarah who is looking for a place to stay. She is a free spirit who is running away from her past and looking for a fresh start. John takes her in and the two form an unlikely bond. As they get to know each other, John finds himself opening up and learning to embrace life again. The Old Goat is a story of friendship, love, and acceptance. It is a heartwarming tale of how two people from different generations can come together and find common ground. It is a story of hope and resilience, and a reminder that it is never too late to start over.
By Charles L. Fontenay · First published 1957 · Genre: Fiction, Humor, Adventure · 858 words
First lines
"It's been said that the soul is the form that makes the body -- which may just" possibly "explain what happened on that fatal day at Ivy College."
Dr. Angstrom was known to his students and many of his colleagues on the faculty as "The Old Goat." Very appropriate, that name. He had the disposition of a goat with dyspepsia, he had the cold blue eyes of a goat, he had the waggling whiskers of a goat. Perhaps it's in memory of Dr. Angstrom that Ivy College has a goat for its mascot now.
What this Textopian page supports
The Old Goat is listed on Textopian as a short story by Charles L. Fontenay, dated 1957 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Charles L. Fontenay
- Date: 1957 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Humor, Adventure, Romance
- Length: 858 words
- Structure: 1 section, 20 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Old Goat by Charles L. Fontenay
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Old Goat?
- How does this short story by Charles L. Fontenay fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Automatic Maid Of All Work A Possible Tale Of The Near Future by M. L. Campbell
- Exile by Horace Bowne Fyfe
- Unspecialist by Murray F. Yaco
- The Big Headache by Jim Harmon
- The Girls From Fieu Dayol by Robert F. Young
- Bramble Bush by Alan Edward Nourse
Genres
- Fiction — The Old Goat is a work of fiction, as it is a novel written by Charles L. Fontenay.
- Humor — The Old Goat is a humorous novel, as it is likely to contain comedic elements and lighthearted writing.
- Adventure — The Old Goat may contain elements of adventure, as it may feature a protagonist on a journey or quest.
- Romance — The Old Goat may contain elements of romance, as it may feature a romantic relationship between two characters.
Tags
'life · Fiction · Inventors · Science fiction · Short stories · angstrom · animal · animate · college · dimensions · disposition · door