Once upon a time, there were three billy goats who lived in a meadow. They were brothers, and their names were Little Billy Goat Gruff, Middle Billy Goat Gruff, and Big Billy Goat Gruff. They loved to eat the sweet, green grass of their meadow. But as the days passed, they ate almost all of it, and they needed to find more.
Across a rushing river was a field, lush and green, with grass as tall as trees. But between them and the field stood a bridge, and under that bridge lived a fearsome troll.
One sunny morning, Little Billy Goat Gruff decided to cross the bridge. “Trip, trap, trip, trap,” his tiny hooves clattered on the wooden planks.
“Who’s that tripping over my bridge?” roared the troll, his eyes as round as saucers.
“It’s only me, Little Billy Goat Gruff,” said the smallest goat, his voice quivering. “I’m going to the field to make myself fat.”
“You’ll make a fine snack for me!” bellowed the troll, climbing onto the bridge.
“Oh, please don’t eat me! I’m too small,” pleaded Little Billy Goat Gruff. “Wait for my brother, Middle Billy Goat Gruff. He’s much bigger.”
“Well, off with you then,” growled the troll, and Little Billy Goat Gruff scampered across.
Next, Middle Billy Goat Gruff approached the bridge. “Trip, trap, trip, trap,” his hooves echoed louder.
“Who’s that tripping over my bridge?” the troll shouted, licking his lips.
“I’m Middle Billy Goat Gruff,” said the goat bravely. “I’m off to get fat in the field.”
“You’ll be my lunch today!” the troll snarled, climbing up again.
“Wait! There’s an even bigger goat coming,” said Middle Billy Goat Gruff. “He’s the fattest of us all.”
The troll grumbled and let him pass.
Finally, Big Billy Goat Gruff came to the bridge. His hooves thundered, “TRIP, TRAP, TRIP, TRAP!”
“Who dares to trip over my bridge?” roared the troll, fierce and angry.
“I’m Big Billy Goat Gruff,” boomed the goat, and he was not afraid.
“I’ll gobble you up!” screamed the troll, standing tall and ugly.
But Big Billy Goat Gruff was ready. He charged at the troll with his hard, sharp horns and butted him off the bridge into the rushing river below.
The troll was swept away, never to be seen again.
After that day, the three billy goats Gruff lived happily in the field, eating the lush green grass to their hearts’ content. And they never had trouble with trolls again.
The End
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Follow Up Questions
After sharing “The Three Billy Goats Gruff” with children, you can ask these follow-up questions to encourage engagement and critical thinking:
Why do you think the smallest and middle-sized goats told the troll to wait for the next bigger goat? What does this tell us about thinking ahead?
If you were the troll, would you have done anything differently? Why or why not?
Can you think of a time when you had to be brave like the Big Billy Goat? What did you do?
These questions are designed to encourage deeper understanding and personal connection with the story, fostering critical thinking and empathy in young readers.
Also Read: The Seven Foals Story