THE THREE BILLy GOATS GRUFF
Once upon a time there were three billy goats gruff.
They were going up the hill to get themselves fat.
The first was Little Billy Goat Gruff.
The second was Middle-sized Billy Goat Gruff.
The third was Big Billy Goat Gruff.
On the way, they had to cross a bridge over a river.
Under this bridge there lived a greedy troll, with eyes as big as saucers, and a nose as long as a poker.
This troll liked to eat goats better than any- thing else.
The three goats were afraid of the greedy troll; but they did want to eat the grass on the hill -it was so fresh and green.
One day Little Billy Goat Gruff said, "I will cross that bridge. I am going to eat some of that fresh green grass.""If you do, the troll will catch you," said the other goats.
"I am not afraid now," said Little Billy Goat Gruff. "He will not eat me; I am too little."So he trotted, trip-trap, trip-trap, over the bridge.
"Who"s that tripping over my bridge?" shouted the troll.
"It"s only the tiniest billy goat," said Little Billy Goat Gruff.
"I am coming to gobble you up," said the troll.
"Do not eat me, I am so little. My brother ismuch fatter. Wait for him."
"Well, be off with you," said the troll.
So Little Billy Goat Gruff ran, trip- trap, trip- trap, over the bridge.
In a little while came the next billy goat gruff. "Who"s that tripping over my bridge?"shouted the troll.
"It"s only Middle-sized Billy Goat," said the second billy goat gruff.
"I am coming to gobble you up," said the troll.
"Do not eat me," said the goat."Wait till Big Billy Goat comes. He is much fatter than I am.""Well, be off with you," said the troll; and away went the second billy goat gruff, trip-trap, trip-trap, over the bridge.
Just then came Big Billy Goat Gruff, TRIP, TRAP, TRIP, TRAP, over the bridge.
He was so heavy that the bridge went creak,
creak, creak under him.
"Who"s that tramping over my bridge?" shouted the troll.
"It"s Big Billy Goat Gruff," said he in a loud voice.
"I am coming to gobble you up," screamed the troll.
" Come on, then," said Big Billy Goat Gruff. He was not afraid now. He shook his head.
He stamped his feet. He rushed at the greedy old troll, caught him on his horns, and tossed him right into the river.
So the three billy goats gruff were free to eat the fresh green grass on the hill.