The story revolves around a farmer named Si Klegg who lives near a river and has a peculiar habit of talking to animals. One day, he discovers that his goats have fallen into the river and are struggling to get out. He tries to rescue them but fails. In desperation, he makes a deal with the devil to exchange his soul for the ability to talk to animals. The devil agrees, and Si is able to communicate with the goats, who tell him they want to be thrown into the river again. Confused, Si complies, and the goats start to thrive in the water. As time passes, Si becomes famous for having "water goats" that can swim and dive like fish. However, he soon realizes that his deal with the devil will have severe consequences if he doesn't find a way to outsmart him.
By Ellis Parker Butler · First published 1900 · Genre: Humor, Satire, Short Story