The Three Billy Goats Gruff
| Category: | European Tales |
|---|---|
| Notes: | Classic Norwegian folktale retold for campfire storytelling. Works well with sound effects for footsteps and the troll's roar. |
Once upon a time, in a valley surrounded by mountains, there lived three Billy Goats Gruff-a small one, a medium one, and a great big one. They spent their days munching on whatever grass they could find, but the hillside was getting bare. Across the river, though, was the greenest meadow you could imagine-grass so lush it shimmered in the sunlight.
But there was one problem: to reach it, they had to cross a bridge, and beneath that bridge lived a terrible, ugly troll with eyes as big as saucers and a nose as long as a poker.
The First Billy Goat Gruff
One morning, the smallest goat decided he couldn't wait any longer. Trip, trap, trip, trap! went his hooves on the bridge.
"WHO'S THAT TRIP-TRAPPING OVER MY BRIDGE?" roared the troll, bursting out from below.
"It's only me, the littlest Billy Goat Gruff," said the goat, trembling. "I'm going to the meadow to make myself fat."
"Oh no you're not!" bellowed the troll. "I'm coming to gobble you up!"
"Oh, please don't!" squeaked the little goat. "I'm far too small. Wait for my brother-he's much bigger than I am!"
The troll scratched his warty chin. "Hmm. Bigger, you say? Very well, off with you then!"
And the smallest Billy Goat scampered across.
The Second Billy Goat Gruff
Next came the middle-sized goat. TRIP, TRAP, TRIP, TRAP! went his hooves, louder this time.
"WHO'S THAT TRIP-TRAPPING OVER MY BRIDGE?" thundered the troll.
"It's me, the middle Billy Goat Gruff. I'm going to the meadow to make myself fat."
"Oh no you're not! I'm coming to gobble you up!"
"Oh, don't eat me!" said the middle goat. "I'm not very big, but my brother is much larger than I am. Wait for him!"
Again the troll's greedy eyes gleamed. "Fine then. Be off, and I'll wait for your big brother!"
And off went the second goat.
The Third Billy Goat Gruff
Finally came the biggest Billy Goat Gruff. TRIP-TRAP, TRIP-TRAP, TRIP-TRAP!-the bridge groaned under his heavy hooves.
"WHO'S THAT TRIP-TRAPPING OVER MY BRIDGE?" bellowed the troll, leaping out with his mouth wide open.
"It's I, the biggest Billy Goat Gruff!" roared the goat. "And you'd better not try to stop me!"
"Oh yes I will!" said the troll. "I'm coming to gobble you up!"
"Come on, then!" snorted the big goat.
And with that, he charged! He lowered his horns and CRASH! He butted the troll so hard that the troll flew off the bridge, down into the rushing river below-and was never seen again.
From that day on, the three Billy Goats Gruff crossed the bridge whenever they pleased. They ate the sweet green grass to their hearts' content, grew fat and happy, and never went hungry again.
And as for the troll... well, maybe he learned to mind his own bridge next time!
Moral: Even the smallest and bravest can outsmart a bully-but sometimes it takes teamwork to cross to greener pastures.