The Three Billy Goats Gruff

Once upon a time, three billy goats lived together in a quiet valley. They were all called Gruff, but one was little, one was middle-sized, and one was big.

One morning, the grass in their meadow had nearly gone. Across the stream they could see a green hillside covered with fresh grass and yellow flowers.

To reach it, the goats had to cross an old wooden bridge. Beneath that bridge lived a grumpy troll who did not like anyone passing overhead.

The littlest Billy Goat Gruff stepped onto the bridge.

“Trip, trap! Trip, trap!” went his tiny hooves.

“Who is crossing my bridge?” growled the troll.

“Only little Billy Goat Gruff,” said the goat. “I am going to the hillside for some grass.”

The troll climbed towards him, but the little goat said, “Please wait for my brother. He is much bigger than I am.”

The troll let him cross.

Soon the middle Billy Goat Gruff came along.

“Trip, trap! Trip, trap!” went his hooves.

Again the troll appeared. Again a goat said, “Please wait for my brother. He is much bigger than I am.”

The troll let him cross too.

At last, big Billy Goat Gruff stepped onto the bridge.

“TRIP, TRAP! TRIP, TRAP!” boomed his strong hooves. The bridge creaked, but it held firm.

The troll leapt up and roared, “No one crosses my bridge!”

Big Billy Goat Gruff stood tall. “This bridge is for everyone,” he said. “My brothers crossed peacefully, and so will I.”

The troll rushed forward. Big Billy Goat Gruff lowered his sturdy horns and gave one careful push. The troll tumbled off the bridge and landed safely in a deep patch of soft moss beside the stream.

Surprised and muddy, the troll scrambled to his feet and ran away towards the distant rocky hills. He never blocked the bridge again.

Big Billy Goat Gruff joined his brothers on the sunny hillside. Together they ate sweet grass, rested among the flowers, and listened to the stream below.

And the moral is: courage grows when we stand up for one another, and shared paths should be open to everyone.