A young couple invited their elderly pastor over for Sunday dinner after church. They wanted to be polite and show their appreciation for everything he did for the community. The pastor happily accepted the invitation and arrived at their home later that afternoon.
When he came in, the couple was busy in the kitchen finishing the meal. Pots were clanking, something was sizzling on the stove, and the delicious smell of dinner filled the house.
While the parents were cooking, the pastor sat in the living room with their young son and tried to make friendly conversation.
“So,” the pastor asked kindly, smiling at the boy, “do you know what your parents are making for dinner tonight?”
The boy nodded confidently and replied, “Yes! We’re having goat.”
The pastor looked surprised. “Goat?” he repeated. “Are you sure about that?”
The boy nodded again. “Yep. I’m sure.”
The pastor was a little puzzled. Goat wasn’t a very common dinner in their town, and he didn’t remember the family mentioning it before.
Curious, he asked, “How do you know it’s goat?”
The boy answered very seriously, “Because on the drive home from church I heard Mom say to Dad, ‘Remember, we’re having the old goat for dinner tonight.’”
The pastor slowly leaned back in his chair, suddenly realizing something very awkward… and very funny.
It turned out the parents had been joking about inviting their pastor to dinner.
And the little boy had simply taken their words literally.
Punchline:
The parents meant the pastor was coming for dinner — but the kid thought the pastor was the dinner.
Shortest version:
A boy tells the pastor they’re having goat for dinner. When asked how he knows, he says he heard his mom say, “Remember, we’re having the old goat for dinner tonight.” 🐐