The Three Billy Goats Gruff

Once upon a time, in a peaceful valley nestled between towering mountains, there lived three billy goats. They were brothers, and each had a name: the youngest was called Little Billy Goat Gruff, the middle one was simply known as Middle Billy Goat Gruff, and the eldest was called Big Billy Goat Gruff. They were strong, healthy goats, with thick, shiny coats and sharp, eager horns. They loved to eat the sweet green grass that grew on the hills on the other side of a river. But to reach that lush grass, they had to cross a rickety bridge that spanned a swift and murky stream.

The problem was that under the bridge lived a fearsome creature—an ugly, wicked troll. The troll had a heart as black as night and a taste for goat meat. He would wait under the bridge, watching for any goat who tried to cross, and when one came near, he would leap out and threaten to eat it for dinner.

For many days, the three goats had to settle for the grass in their own valley, for none of them dared cross the bridge while the troll was lurking beneath it. But the goats grew hungrier and hungrier, and the grass on their side of the river began to dry up. They finally decided that they would have to take the risk and cross the bridge to reach the green pastures on the other side.

One bright morning, the smallest of the three goats, Little Billy Goat Gruff, set off on his journey. He was eager to get to the lush grass on the other side, but he knew that the troll would try to stop him. As Little Billy Goat Gruff approached the bridge, he could hear the deep, rumbling growl of the troll beneath.

The troll leaped up and shouted, “Who’s that tramping over my bridge?”

“It’s only me, Little Billy Goat Gruff,” the little goat replied in a quivery voice. “I’m going to the other side to eat some delicious grass.”

The troll growled again, “Oh no, you don’t! I’m going to eat you up for my dinner!”

But Little Billy Goat Gruff was quick and clever. He said, “Oh, please don’t eat me! I’m much too small and thin. Wait for my bigger brother, Middle Billy Goat Gruff. He’s much larger and tastier than I am.”

The troll, thinking of a much bigger meal, decided to let Little Billy Goat Gruff go. “Very well, off you go, but tell your brother I’ll be waiting for him!”

Little Billy Goat Gruff scampered across the bridge and skipped merrily on to the other side, where he began munching on the fresh, green grass.

Next came Middle Billy Goat Gruff, who was stronger and larger than his younger brother. He, too, needed to reach the rich pasture across the river. As he approached the bridge, he saw the troll’s large, menacing shape rising up from beneath the planks.

The troll shouted, “Who’s that tramping over my bridge?”

“It’s only me, Middle Billy Goat Gruff,” the middle goat called out. “I’m going to the other side to join my brother and eat the tasty grass.”

The troll snarled, “No, you’re not! I’ll eat you up for my dinner!”

But Middle Billy Goat Gruff was not afraid. He had a plan, just like his younger brother. He said, “Oh, please don’t eat me! I’m not worth your trouble. Wait for my bigger brother, Big Billy Goat Gruff. He’s much larger and juicier than I am.”

The troll, thinking that Big Billy Goat Gruff would make a much better meal, hesitated. “Hmm, you do make a good point,” the troll grumbled. “Very well, go on. But your big brother will be next!”

With that, Middle Billy Goat Gruff bounded across the bridge and joined Little Billy Goat Gruff on the other side, where the two brothers happily ate the delicious grass together.

Finally, it was Big Billy Goat Gruff’s turn to cross the bridge. He was the largest and strongest of the three brothers, with thick horns and sturdy hooves. He wasn’t afraid of the troll, but he knew that the creature was dangerous and cunning. As he approached the bridge, the troll’s ugly face appeared once more.

“Who’s that tramping over my bridge?” the troll demanded in his gruff voice.

“It’s me, Big Billy Goat Gruff,” the largest of the goats replied boldly. “And I’m going to the other side to join my brothers and feast on the grass there.”

The troll sneered, “I’m going to eat you up for my dinner!”

But Big Billy Goat Gruff was not worried. He stomped his hooves and snorted, “If you want to eat me, you’ll have to try harder than that!”

With a mighty charge, Big Billy Goat Gruff lowered his horns and rushed at the troll. The troll, taken aback by the strength and power of the large goat, tried to fight back, but Big Billy Goat Gruff was too strong. With one swift motion, the goat knocked the troll off the bridge and into the river below, where the current carried him far away. The troll was gone, never to be seen again.

Big Billy Goat Gruff crossed the bridge safely and joined his brothers on the other side, where they all feasted on the sweet, tender grass. They ate to their hearts’ content, and their bellies were full and happy.

From that day on, the three Billy Goats Gruff were able to cross the bridge whenever they wished, without fear of the troll. The river was calm and peaceful, and the grass on the other side was always green and plentiful. The three goats lived happily ever after, growing stronger and fatter, as they spent their days grazing on the lush pasture.

And so, the three Billy Goats Gruff learned that by working together, they could overcome any challenge, no matter how fearsome. The troll was gone, and the goats had a peaceful life in the valley, free to enjoy the green grass they loved.