Moni and the Goat Boy

Johanna Spyri

Feb 2013 · Ascent Audio · Narrated by Karen White

About this audiobook

Moni, the goat boy, was a very cheerful young man who loved his job and his flock with all his heart. When young Paula first encounter's Moni's jubilant nature and happy song, she is captivated by his joy and becomes his friend. Moni spends each day up in the mountains with the goats and has a particularly special attachment to a kid named Maggerli. One day, Moni runs into a boy from another village who has discovered a beautiful diamond cross and the boy tells Moni that if he keeps his secret about the gross, he will buy Maggerli for Moni to save her from death. Moni struggles with keeping the deceitful secret, and finally confesses the truth to Paula (the owner of the cross) what has happened. Paula, further touched by Moni's honesty and love for Maggerli, decides to do something that will bring about a happy ending for everyone. Johanna Spyri (1827-1901) was a Swiss children's author, best known for her novel 'Heidi." Her stories are heavily influenced by her own life and the area of Switzerland in which she grew up.

About the author

Johanna Spyri was born in the village of Hirzel, Switzerland on June 12, 1827. She was tutored at home and attended school both at home and in Zurich. She married Bernhard Spyri, a lawyer, in 1852 and moved to Zurich. She wrote her first story, A Leaf on Vrony's Grave, in 1871. She wrote numerous stories for both children and adults, but her most famous work was Heidi, which was published in 1880. Both her husband and son died in 1884. She spent her remaining years writing, raising her niece, and doing charity work. She died on July 7, 1901.