Lullventyr
The Three Billy-Goats Gruff — cover illustration
Bedtime story

The Three Billy-Goats Gruff

by Asbjørnsen Moe

Three brothers known as the Billy-goats Gruff plan to climb a hillside to fatten themselves up for the winter. To reach their destination, they must cross a narrow bridge spanning a rushing burn. Beneath this bridge lives a fierce and ugly Troll who guards his domain with terrifying eyes and a long nose. The youngest goat arrives first and tries to trick the hungry monster into waiting for a larger meal. The Troll is momentarily convinced by the small goat's plea and lets him pass. Soon after, the second goat follows and uses a similar excuse to avoid being eaten. He also successfully deceives the Troll by promising that the biggest brother is coming next. When the largest Billy-goat Gruff arrives, his heavy weight causes the bridge to creak loudly under his feet. The bold goat refuses to be intimidated by the Troll's threats of gobbling him up. Instead, he charges forward with confidence and skillfully defeats the villain. The big goat uses his sharp horns to push the monster away from the path. He then tosses the defeated Troll into the water below where he can no longer cause trouble. With the bridge clear, all three goats are finally able to walk safely up to the grassy hill. They enjoy the lush vegetation and become very plump during their stay. The story ends with the happy goats returning home after their successful adventure.

How it begins

THE THREE BILLY-GOATS GRUFF Once on a time there were three _Billy-goats_, who were to go up to the hill-side to make themselves fat, and the name of all three was "_Gruff_." On the way up was a bridge over a burn they had to cross; and under the bridge lived a great ugly _Troll_, with eyes as big as saucers, and a nose as long as a poker. So first of all came the youngest billy-goat _Gruff_ to cross the bridge. "Trip, trap! trip, trap!" went the bridge. "Who's that tripping over my bridge?" roared the _Troll_. "Oh! it is only I, the tiniest billy-goat _Gruff_; and I'm going up to the hill-side to make myself fat," said the…

Listen freeListen free