The Famous Turkish Goat Song: Why Fighting Doesn’t Work

Children’s songs often do more than just entertain — they teach lessons through rhyme and rhythm. One classic Turkish song, İnatçı İki Keçi (Two Stubborn Goats), tells a fun yet meaningful story about what happens when we are too stubborn to compromise. It’s catchy, repetitive, and a great way to help children learn Turkish while also understanding the importance of kindness and cooperation.

Turkish Lyrics: İnatçı İki Keçi

Bir köprüde karşılaşmış iki inatçı keçi
Hah-hah-ha, hah-hah-ha, hah-hah hah-hah ha-ha
Hep huysuzluk, inatçılık bu keçilerin suçu
Hah-hah-ha, hah-hah-ha, hah-hah hah-hah ha-ha
Tam köprünün ortasında iki keçi toslaşmış
Hah-hah-ha, hah-hah-ha, hah-hah hah-hah ha-ha
İkisi de suya düşmüş, bunu görenler şaşmış
Hah-hah-ha, hah-hah-ha, hah-hah hah-hah ha-ha

English Translation: The Two Stubborn Goats

Two goats bumped into each other on a bridge
Hah-hah-ha, hah-hah-ha, hah-hah hah-hah ha-ha
(What’s bad about them is) Goats are always stubborn and obnoxious
Hah-hah-ha, hah-hah-ha, hah-hah hah-hah ha-ha
The goats butted each other right in the middle of the bridge
Hah-hah-ha, hah-hah-ha, hah-hah hah-hah ha-ha
They both fell into the water, everyone was surprised
Hah-hah-ha, hah-hah-ha, hah-hah hah-hah ha-ha

A Song with a Message

At first glance, this song seems silly and fun, filled with laughter and goat sounds. But underneath the humor is a valuable message: being too stubborn can cause problems for everyone. The two goats could have taken turns crossing the bridge, but their refusal to compromise led them both to fall into the water.

This is a great example of how Turkish songs use storytelling to teach moral lessons in a way that is easy for kids to understand.

Vocabulary from the Song

• İnatçı – stubborn

• Keçi – goat

• Köprü – bridge

• Toslaşmak – to butt heads

• Suya düşmek – to fall into the water

• Şaşmak – to be surprised

Children can act out this story with toy goats or puppets to reinforce vocabulary and build comprehension.

Playful Ways to Reinforce the Song

Role Play with Toys
Use two toy goats and a “bridge” (a pillow or block). Act out the story while singing the lyrics together.

Drawing the Scene
Ask your child to draw the two goats on the bridge and what happens when they don’t cooperate.

Act Out with Movements
Have children walk toward each other and pretend to bump, then fall “into the water.” Add giggles and sound effects!

Learn More Songs with Dinolingo

If your child enjoys playful songs like İnatçı İki Keçi, they’ll love exploring Dinolingo, a language-learning platform for kids. With over 50 languages, including Turkish, Dinolingo makes language learning fun through songs, stories, flashcards, and games. Kids can learn anytime on web, iOS, or Android — and parents can track progress using the parent dashboard.

Conclusion

“Iki İnatçı Keçi” is more than just a funny Turkish children’s song — it’s a reminder that being cooperative is always better than being stubborn. Through this fun and musical tale, children can practice Turkish while also learning about patience, empathy, and compromise. Try singing it together, acting it out, and bringing the story to life in your home or classroom