The Three Billy Goats Gruff

A traditional story

Once upon a time three Billy Goats lived in a field.

There was Little Billy Goat Gruff, Middle Sized Billy Goat Gruff and there was Big Billy Goat Gruff.

A river flowed next to this field and over this river was a bridge.

Under the bridge lived a big ugly Troll.

He had a red face, sharp teeth and black spiky hair.

Little Billy Goat Gruff began to feel unhappy. He wanted to eat softer, sweeter grass.

He wanted to eat some flowers.

There were no flowers in this field.

The soft, sweet grass and the flowers were in another field across the river.

Little Billy Goat kept looking at the grass in the other field until one day he set off, trip trap trip trap across the bridge.

But the ugly troll heard him.' I will gobble you up’ he shouted.

Little Billy Goat Gruff trembled with fear. ‘Wait for Middle Sized Billy Goat.’ said Little Billy Goat, thinking quickly. ‘He’s much bigger than me!’ and he ran the rest of the way over the bridge as fast as he could and

didn’t stop until he was safely in the other field.

Soon Middle sized Billy Goat Gruff decided to follow. He set off, trip trap trip trap across the bridge.The ugly troll heard him immediately.' I will gobble you up’ he shouted.Middle Sized Billy Goat Gruff was frightened too. ‘Wait for Big Billy Goat Gruff.’ he said quickly, ‘ He’s much bigger than me.’ and he ran across to the other side.

It wasn’t long before Big Billy Goat Gruff stepped onto the bridge. Trip trap trip trap went his hooves as he ran across the bridge.‘I will gobble you up’ shouted the troll raising his ugly head.But Big Billy Goat Gruff was not frightened at all. Bump! Big Billy Goat Gruff put his head down, butted the troll and knocked him into the river.The ugly troll disappeared under the water for ever.

As for the Billy Goats, all three lived happily in the field across the river eating soft sweet grass for the rest of their lives.