Three Billy Goats Gruff

Three Billy Goats Gruff is a traditional folk tale that comes from Norway. A folk tale is a story that has been shared for a long time, first by speaking and later by writing. The story tells about three goats who are all named Billy Goat Gruff. The goats live in a place where there is little grass to eat. Across a bridge, there is a green meadow with fresh grass. A meadow is an open area of land covered with grass. To reach the meadow, the goats must cross a bridge.

Under the bridge lives a troll. A troll is a creature from stories in northern Europe. Trolls are often shown as large, strong, and unfriendly beings. In this story, the troll does not want anyone to cross the bridge. He threatens to eat anyone who tries. The bridge is narrow and made of wood. Each time a goat steps on it, the bridge makes a sound. This sound warns the troll that someone is crossing above him.

The smallest billy goat tries to cross the bridge first. He walks carefully, but the bridge makes a sound. The troll comes out and asks who is on the bridge. The small goat explains that he wants to cross to eat grass. The troll says he will eat the goat. The small goat tells the troll to wait for a bigger goat who will come next. The troll agrees, thinking the bigger goat will be a better meal. The small goat crosses safely and reaches the meadow.

Next, the middle-sized billy goat walks onto the bridge. Again, the bridge makes a sound. The troll comes out and threatens the goat. The middle goat also explains that he wants to cross to eat grass. Like the first goat, he tells the troll to wait for the biggest goat, who will come later. The troll agrees again. The middle goat crosses the bridge and joins the small goat in the meadow.

Finally, the biggest billy goat crosses the bridge. He is heavy, and the bridge makes a loud sound. The troll appears and threatens him. The biggest goat does not try to delay the troll. Instead, he faces the troll directly. In many versions of the story, the biggest goat uses his strength and horns to defeat the troll. Horns are hard, pointed parts on an animal’s head. The troll is pushed away from the bridge and does not return.

After the troll is gone, all three billy goats can cross the bridge freely. They stay in the meadow and eat the grass together. The story has been told in many countries and appears in books for children. Different versions may change small details, but the main events remain the same. The tale is often told using simple language and repeated actions, which makes it easy to remember and retell.