Once upon a time, there were three Billy Goats. They lived in a valley and the name of all three Billy Goats was "Gruff".

There was very little grass in the valley and the Billy Goats were hungry. They wanted to go up the hillside to a fine meadow full of grass and daisies where they could eat and eat, and get fat.

But on the way up there was a bridge over a rushing river. And under the bridge lived a Troll who was as mean as he was ugly.

First the youngest Billy Goat Gruff decided to cross the bridge. "TRIP, TRAP, TRIP, TRAP!" went the bridge. "WHO'S THAT TRIPPING OVER MY BRIDGE?" roared the Troll.

"Oh, it's only I, the tiniest Billy Goat Gruff," said the Billy Goat in his very small voice. "And I'm going to the meadow to make myself fat."

 "No you're not," said the Troll, "for I'm coming to gobble you up!"

"Oh, please don't take me. I'm too little, that I am," said the Billy Goat. "Wait till the second Billy Goat Gruff comes. He's much bigger."

"Well then, be off with you," said the Troll.

A little later the second Billy Goat Gruff came to cross the bridge. 

"TRIP, TRAP, TRIP, TRAP, TRIP, TRAP!" went the bridge. 

 "WHO'S THAT TRIPPING OVER MY BRIDGE?" roared the Troll.

"Oh, it's only I, the second Billy Goat Gruff, and I'm going to the meadow to make myself fat," said the Billy Goat. And his voice was not so small.

"No you're not," said the Troll, "for I'm coming to gobble you up!"

"Oh, please don't take me. Wait a little, till the third Billy Goat Gruff comes. He's much bigger."

"Very well, be off with you," said the Troll.

Then up came the third Billy Goat Gruff.

"TRIP, TRAP, TRIP, TRAP, TRIP, TRAP, TRIP, TRAP!" went the bridge.

The third Billy Goat Gruff was so heavy that the bridge creaked and groaned under him.