The introductory call "Ajde, de!" in the interval of the fourth leads to the first thematic element exposed in the manner of imitation, remindful of a double fugue.The rhythm of the second element is similar to the first, but it also presents a contrast by its major tonality. The introduction and both thematic elements are repeated and this leads us to expect the composition to develop in stanzas, but the: work develops in a different way: the little village boy, hired as goatherd, has the misfortune of seeing on of his goats slip from a high crag and die falling down. The dramatic culmination, achieved by means of a chromatic sequence sung to the words "le, le, le" (Woe to me, woe) is, of] course, not to be taken too seriously, neither are the little goatherd's sad words "ci, ci, kozice" (tsi. tsi, my little goat), presented in the form of a canon. The whole sweet and bitter (cheerful and sad) story ends with a reminiscence of the seco thematic element, in major.
