The Three Billy Goats Gruff – Text and Tale by Asbjørnsen and Moe 🐐🐐🐐

The three Billy Goats Gruff must cross the bridge where a feared troll lives to reach the green summer pastures.

The Three Billy Goats Gruff is a classic Norwegian folktale collected by Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe. Three goats named Billy Goat Gruff must cross a bridge guarded by a fearsome troll to reach the summer pasture — and outwit him with cleverness and courage.

Read the Whole Story: The Three Billy Goats Gruff Text

The Three Billy Goats Gruff – Text and Tale by Asbjørnsen and Moe 🐐🐐🐐

Once upon a time there were three goats who lived at the foot of a big, green valley. They were all named Billy Goat Gruff — one was small, one was medium-sized, and one was big and strong. One day they decided to go up to the summer pasture, where the grass was lush and they could grow fat and strong.

But to get there, they had to cross an old Billy Goats Gruff bridge over a roaring waterfall. Under the bridge lived a scary troll, known as the Billy Goats Gruff troll, with eyes as big as tin plates. This troll under the bridge feared no one; it just waited for its next meal.

The Littlest Billy Goat Gruff: Across the Bridge and Past the Troll

First came the smallest goat, trip-trapping over the bridge.

"Trip, trap, trip, trap," went the bridge.

He walked carefully, for he knew the bridge was old and creaked under his weight.

The three goats approach the bridge, ready for their great adventure!

Suddenly a deep, rumbling voice sounded from under the bridge:

"Who's that tripping over my bridge?"

The little goat trembled a little, but answered bravely:

"It's only me, the smallest of the three Billy Goats Gruff. I'm going up to the summer pasture to make myself fat."

"Now I'm coming to get you!" roared the troll, poking its head out with a wicked grin.

"Oh no, don't take me! I'm so small. Wait instead for the middle goat, he's much bigger!" squeaked the little goat.

The troll sighed and nodded.

"Very well, but only this once!"

The smallest goat hurried across the bridge and ran up toward the green summer pastures.

The Middle Billy Goat Gruff Meets the Troll at the Bridge

The middle goat meets the troll for the first time – what will happen now?

A little while later, the middle goat came trip-trapping over the bridge.

"Trip, trap, trip, trap," went the bridge, but this time the steps sounded heavier.

"Who's that tripping over my bridge?" roared the troll.

"It's the middle one of the three goats. I'm going up to the summer pasture to make myself fat," answered the goat, casting a nervous glance toward the waterfall.

"Now I'm coming to get you!" cried the troll, even angrier than before.

He was hungry and didn't want to wait any longer.

"Oh no, don't take me! Wait instead for the big goat, he's much, much bigger!" said the goat, trying to sound convincing.

The troll thought it over and decided to wait.

"All right then, but only this once!"

The middle goat hurried off, glad to have tricked the troll once again.

The Big Billy Goat Gruff Crushes the Troll Under the Bridge

Then came the biggest of the Three Billy Goats Gruff. He tramped heavily onto the bridge.

"TRIP TRAP, TRIP TRAP!" The bridge groaned and creaked under his heavy weight, and spray from the waterfall rose into the air.

"Who's that tramping over my bridge?" roared the troll, leaping up onto the bridge, this time determined to catch its prey.

"It's the biggest goat!" it answered in a deep, threatening voice.

He knew this was the decisive moment.

"Now I'm coming to get you!" screamed the troll, raising its arms to attack.

But the big goat wasn't afraid.

"Come on then! I have two sharp horns that can poke your eyes out! And I have strong hooves that can crush your bones to marrow!"

The big goat sends the troll into the river – a victory for the three goats!

The troll hesitated, but before it could react, the big goat lowered his head and charged at it. With a violent lunge, he butted the troll straight into the waterfall. The troll screamed, waved its arms, but vanished into the roaring water and was never seen again.

A Happy Ending for the Goats

The story of the three Billy Goats Gruff ends well. They could now safely cross the bridge and go up to the summer pasture, where the grass was green and lush. They ate and enjoyed themselves, and grew so fat and strong that they could hardly manage to walk home again. They laughed about their adventure and promised each other they would always stick together.

And if they haven't stopped eating, they're still grazing there today!

THE END

Moral: Cleverness, Courage, and Teamwork Win the Day!

Cleverness, courage, and teamwork can overcome even the greatest challenges! The story of this classic tale is timeless proof that even the littlest Billy Goat Gruff can outwit the troll with cleverness.