A story from Marzbannameh (Book of Marzban): an early 13th-century Persian prose work. It consists of various stories and fables used as illustrations of morality and right conduct. It was written in 1210–1225 by the translator/author Saʿd al-Din Varavini.

There was once a shepherd living in a village. He would take his cattle out for pasture every day. One day he took the sheep and goats near a forest where they could find fresh herbs. He did not know that there was a hungry wolf in that forest waiting for good food. Suddenly one of the little playful goats jumped into the forest, not knowing anything about wolves. The hungry wolf became glad upon seeing the little goat, for it would become a good dinner.

The wolf started walking towards the goat slowly because it didn't want the goat to get scared, for its meat would become bitter as a result of fear. Certainly, the wolf didn't like to eat bitter meat. But the little goat saw the wolf and became very afraid. Its running couldn't be useful then, for the wolf would catch it. So, the little goat thought a little more and then went towards the wolf and said: “Hello, dear wolf!” This surprised the wolf. And the goat continued: “I have been sent as a present for you by the shepherd because you haven't caught any sheep or goats from his cattle for many years. Please come and eat me.”

The wolf decided to attack the goat and have its dinner, but the little goat quickly said: “Wait a little! The shepherd has also told me to sing before you eat me because singing makes my meat sweet and delicious.”

So the little goat started singing loudly and this made the shepherd run into the forest and hit the wolf with his stick. The wolf ran away and the little goat was saved and returned to the cattle.