The phrase "goose that laid the golden egg" is spelled phonetically as /guːs ðæt leɪd ðə ˈɡəʊldən ɛɡ/. The "oo" sound in "goose" is represented by the symbol /uː/, while the "th" in "that" is symbolized as /ð/. The word "laid" has the same vowel sound as "made," written as /eɪ/, and the "o" sound in "gold" is represented as /əʊ/. Additionally, the "g" sound in "goose" is soft, represented as /dʒ/, while the "c" in "laid" is pronounced as /d/.
The phrase "goose that laid the golden egg" is an idiomatic expression that refers to a popular fable and has come to signify a source of great profit or benefit that is ruined by greed or overconsumption. In the fable, a farmer discovers that one of his geese lays a golden egg every day. Initially, he is ecstatic and overjoyed by the prospect of wealth this miraculous goose bestows upon him.
However, consumed by greed, the farmer becomes impatient and decides to kill the goose to obtain all the golden eggs at once. Much to his dismay, he discovers that the goose was just an ordinary bird after all, and by killing it, he loses his steady stream of riches forever.
Metaphorically, the goose represents a valuable asset or resource that provides continuous benefits or profits. The fable teaches the lesson that we should not be excessive in our desires and not overexploit or destroy what brings us prosperity.
Hence, when someone mentions the "goose that laid the golden egg," they are often referring to a situation where an opportunity for long-term success or profitability is compromised or destroyed by greed, impatience, or short-sightedness. It serves as a cautionary tale against prioritizing immediate gains at the expense of long-term sustainability and prosperity.