Once upon a time, there were three little goats: Little Billy Goat, Middle Billy Goat, and Great Big Billy Goat. They lived on a grassy hill, but oh! Across a little bridge was another hill covered in the most wonderfully green, deliciously long grass you ever did see. The three goats longed to go there and munch.
Underneath the bridge lived a bridge keeper. He wasn't mean, but he was very particular about noise. "Trip-trap, trip-trap!" went little feet across his bridge, and that was fine. But louder sounds? He would come out and grumble!
One sunny morning, Little Billy Goat decided it was time. He took a deep breath and stepped onto the bridge. Trip-trap, trip-trap, went his tiny hooves. The bridge keeper popped his head out from below, looking a little bit grumpy. "Who's making that tiny noise on my bridge?" he rumbled softly.
"It's only me, Little Billy Goat," he whispered bravely. "I just want to cross to eat the green grass." The bridge keeper blinked slowly. "Alright," he grumbled. "But hurry up! And tell the next one not to be so noisy!" So Little Billy Goat tripped and trapped across to the other side.
Next came Middle Billy Goat. His hooves were a little bigger, and they made a slightly louder sound: Trip-TRAP, Trip-TRAP! The bridge keeper poked his head out again, looking a bit grumpier this time. "Who's making that medium noise on my bridge?" he grumbled more loudly.
"It's just me, Middle Billy Goat," he said politely. "I want to join Little Billy Goat for the yummy grass." The bridge keeper sighed. "Very well," he said. "But tell that biggest goat of yours to be extra quiet! He makes too much racket! Now go on!" And Middle Billy Goat hurried across.
Finally, it was Great Big Billy Goat's turn. His hooves were very big, and they made a loud sound: TRIP-TRAP, TRIP-TRAP! The whole bridge shook just a little bit! The bridge keeper burst out from under the bridge, looking very, very grumpy indeed. "WHO is making all THAT noise on my bridge?!" he roared.
Great Big Billy Goat stood tall but spoke kindly. "It is I, Great Big Billy Goat. We only want to cross to eat the lovely green grass. We promise to be gentle." The bridge keeper looked at the polite Great Big Billy Goat. He looked at the two smaller goats patiently waiting on the other side. He grumbled one last, small grumble. "Alright, alright. Just cross over, quietly as you can, and enjoy your grass."
So Great Big Billy Goat gently walked the rest of the way across the bridge. And there they were! All three Billy Goats Gruff, together on the hill with the wonderful green grass. They ate and ate until their tummies were full and happy.
As the sun began to set, painting the sky in soft orange and purple, the three goats lay down in the soft, full grass. They were so happy they had been brave, patient, and polite. They snuggled close, their eyes growing heavy, ready for sweet dreams of delicious grass and safe bridges. Goodnight, Little, Middle, and Great Big Billy Goat. Goodnight.