In the rugged east of Norway, where tall mountains cast long shadows over deep green valleys, there lived three brothers known as the Billy-Goats Gruff. They were strong, shaggy, and full of spirit, the smallest was no larger than a lamb, the middle one sturdier and bolder, and the eldest great and mighty, with horns curved like polished steel.
The three goats spent their days roaming the hillsides, feeding on what little grass they could find. But the land had grown barren, and the winter’s bite had left the slopes bare. Across the stream that ran through their valley lay a lush meadow, bursting with the sweetest green grass they had ever seen. The brothers longed to cross over and fill their bellies, but between them and that bright pasture stretched a narrow wooden bridge, and under that bridge lived a terrible troll.
The troll was fierce and foul, with eyes as big as saucers and a nose as long as a poker. He guarded the bridge day and night, letting no one pass without paying the dreadful price, their life. His growl could be heard echoing through the valley whenever any creature dared step upon his bridge.
One morning, when the sun rose warm over the fjord, the youngest Billy-Goat Gruff said, “I will go first. I am small, and perhaps the troll will not bother with me.”
With trembling hooves, he stepped onto the bridge. Trip-trap, trip-trap, went his little feet against the wooden planks.
Suddenly, from below came a terrible roar: “Who’s that trip-trapping over my bridge?”
“It is only I,” said the smallest goat, in a voice that shook like leaves in the wind. “I am the tiniest Billy-Goat Gruff, and I am going up to the meadow to make myself fat.”
“Now I’m coming to eat you up!” bellowed the troll, his yellow teeth glinting in the dark.
“Oh no, please don’t!” cried the little goat. “I’m too small. My brother is coming after me, he’s much bigger and fatter than I. Wait for him instead.”
The troll grunted, his stomach growling. “Very well,” he snarled, “then be off with you!”
And so, the smallest Billy-Goat Gruff skipped across the bridge and began nibbling on the rich green grass beyond.
Not long after, the middle brother decided it was his turn. He was a sturdy goat with a confident step. Trip-trap, trip-trap, trip-trap, went his hooves across the bridge.
Again came the booming voice from below: “Who’s that trip-trapping over my bridge?”
“It is I,” said the middle goat, standing tall. “I am the second Billy-Goat Gruff, going to the meadow to make myself fat.”
“Now I’m coming to eat you up!” thundered the troll, his deep voice shaking the timbers.
“Oh no!” said the middle goat quickly. “Don’t take me! I am not very big yet. Wait for my brother, the largest Billy-Goat Gruff, he’s much fatter and stronger than I.”
The troll licked his lips and thought of the feast to come. “Be off with you then,” he growled.
And the middle goat trotted safely across to join his brother in the meadow.
At last came the oldest and biggest Billy-Goat Gruff. His coat shone in the sunlight, and his horns were long and sharp. When he stepped onto the bridge, it creaked under his great weight. TRIP-TRAP, TRIP-TRAP, TRIP-TRAP!
Out roared the troll, furious and hungry. “Who’s that trip-trapping over my bridge?”
“It is I!” thundered the great Billy-Goat Gruff, his voice echoing across the valley. “I am the biggest Billy-Goat Gruff, and I am going up to the meadow to make myself fat.”
“Now I’m coming to eat you up!” howled the troll, climbing onto the bridge, his claws scraping the wood.
“Come along then!” roared the big Billy-Goat Gruff, lowering his head and stamping his hooves. “I’ve got two horns sharp as steel, and I’ll teach you to leave us be!”
The troll lunged, but the great goat charged with all his might. He struck the troll square in the chest, CRASH!, and butted him again, sending him tumbling off the bridge and down into the rushing stream below. The troll vanished beneath the foaming water and was never seen again.
The bridge was safe at last. The great Billy-Goat Gruff crossed over proudly to join his brothers. Together they grazed in the wide meadow, their bellies full and their hearts light. They stayed there for many days, growing fatter and happier under the warm Norwegian sun. And from that day forward, no creature ever feared to cross that bridge again.
Moral Lesson
True strength lies not just in power but in courage and unity. The smallest may use wit, the middle patience, and the greatest bravery, but together, they overcome even the fiercest of foes.
Knowledge Check
- Who were the main characters in the story?
The three Billy-Goats Gruff — the youngest, the middle, and the eldest brothers. - What was the obstacle the goats had to face?
A fierce troll who lived under the bridge and threatened to eat anyone who tried to cross. - How did the youngest Billy-Goat Gruff escape the troll?
He tricked the troll by promising that his bigger brother would soon come, so the troll let him go. - What lesson does the story teach?
It teaches the value of courage, clever thinking, and teamwork in overcoming challenges. - How did the biggest Billy-Goat Gruff defeat the troll?
He used his great strength and sharp horns to knock the troll off the bridge into the river. - What is the cultural origin of the story?
The tale comes from Norway and was collected by Asbjørnsen and Moe in their famous Norwegian folktale collections.
Source: Adapted from the Norwegian folktale “The Three Billy-Goats Gruff” (De tre bukkene Bruse) in Norske folkeeventyr, collected by Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe (1840s).
Cultural Origin: Norway (Traditional Norwegian folklore)
