The goat girl myth refers to a story where a girl's face is transformed into that of a goat as punishment for not showing gratitude to a fairy who facilitated her marriage.
The tale typically unfolds as follows:
- A fairy, often disguised as a lizard, transforms into a beautiful woman.
- A man (often unnamed, or referred to as the husband/lover) falls in love with her, unaware of her true nature.
- The fairy consents to the marriage of the man and the woman, often known as Renzolla.
- The girl (Renzolla) fails to express gratitude to the fairy for her role in the union.
- As punishment, the fairy transforms the girl's face into that of a goat.
This myth serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of gratitude and the consequences of ingratitude, particularly towards those who have helped us. While specific details may vary across different tellings, the core element of transformation into a goat-faced woman as punishment remains consistent. It highlights themes of beauty, betrayal, and the power of supernatural forces to enforce moral lessons.
