The Missing Goat: Scene Structure Study

Mr. Obi stood at the gate of the goat pen and counted his goats. One was missing. Scanning the compound and road for strays, he found none. As he puzzled over the whereabouts of the missing goat, he caught sight of it over the fence. The goat was in Mr. Obi's neighbour’s house, munching on the leaves in his farm. Reaching over the fence, he made a desperate attempt to grab its leg, but it leapt away nimbly, letting out a series of bleats. Just then, his neighbour came out of his house and deftly captured it. Mr. Obi, enthused, shouted out his appreciation, but his neighbour made no reply; instead, he marched to the cashew tree in the centre of his compound and tied the goat to its trunk. He, unscrupulous, returned to his house whistling. Staring listlessly, Mr. Obi painfully recalled his neighbour’s solemn promise to seize the goat if it ever set foot in his compound again.

What I learnt: A strong narrative should have a goal, an obstacle and a shift.