The bone of contention: the use of bells on goats.
For several weeks now, a wind of discord has been blowing over the peaceful village of Saint-Pancreux. It all began when Thérèse Dupuis, a local goat breeder for the past thirty years, decided to remove the bells from her animals. According to her, the constant jingling of these little bells was the cause of her herd’s growing insomnia.
“It was as if I were living in an eternal Christmas party with that incessant tinkling. My goats had dark circles under their eyes — it was a real disaster!” she confides. “Since I took off those instruments of torture, they’ve been much calmer and are even producing more milk!”
But according to Jean-Luc Lemoine, another farmer in the village, the absence of bells is dangerous. Having never known a goat without a bell, he accuses Thérèse of setting a precedent that could jeopardize the safety of the entire village. “Without the sound of the bells, how are we supposed to find our lost goats? And if the forest wolf comes back, we’ll have no way to track it!” he exclaims.
The debate now rages at the Café du Coin, where the topic splits the regulars in two. Some staunchly insist that bells are an age-old tradition that must never be questioned. Others, swayed by the animal welfare movement, applaud Thérèse’s decision and are considering doing the same.
“The Bell War,” as the locals have nicknamed it, is far from over and promises many more twists and turns in this rustic little corner of paradise. In the end, the outcome may well depend on the opinion of the mayor, who has promised to hold a referendum on the matter. “Everyone must have their say. After all, it’s the future of our goats — and therefore of our village — that’s at stake,” the mayor declares solemnly.
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