Once upon a time, high up in the mountains, lived three billy goats Gruff. There was Big Billy Gruff, Middle Billy Gruff, and Little Billy Gruff. They lived on a hillside full of sweet, juicy grass, but the very best grass grew on the other side of a rushing river! The only way to get there was across an old, wooden bridge.
But under the bridge lived a troll! This troll wasn't a *mean* troll, not really. He was just a lonely troll. He liked to ask anyone crossing the bridge a question: 'Who is going to cross my bridge?' He thought it was a fun game, but it scared the billy goats very much.
Little Billy Gruff was the first to try. He tiptoed onto the bridge, his little hooves clip-clopping softly. 'Who is going to cross my bridge?' boomed the troll. 'It is I,' squeaked Little Billy Gruff, 'Little Billy Gruff, and I'm going to eat the sweet grass on the other side!'
'Well,' said the troll, 'you are very small. I think I'll let you pass.' Little Billy Gruff quickly scampered across the bridge and began to munch on the delicious grass.
Next came Middle Billy Gruff. He was bigger and bolder, but still a little nervous. 'Who is going to cross my bridge?' the troll asked again. 'It is I,' said Middle Billy Gruff, 'Middle Billy Gruff, and I'm going to eat the sweet grass on the other side!'
'Hmm,' said the troll, 'you are bigger than the last one. But I suppose I can let you pass too.' Middle Billy Gruff hurried across and joined Little Billy Gruff in the yummy grass.
Finally, Big Billy Gruff started to cross. He was very, very big! 'WHO is going to cross MY bridge?' roared the troll, trying to sound scary. 'IT IS I!' bellowed Big Billy Gruff, 'Big Billy Gruff, and I'm going to eat the sweet grass on the other side!'
The troll was a little frightened by Big Billy Gruff’s loud voice. But then he felt sad. He realized he was scaring everyone and just wanted a friend. 'Wait!' called the troll. 'Instead of asking questions, maybe… maybe we could share the grass? I get lonely down here.'
Big Billy Gruff thought for a moment. He looked at his brothers, and they nodded. 'That's a wonderful idea!' said Big Billy Gruff. So, the troll climbed up from under the bridge, and all four of them – Big Billy, Middle Billy, Little Billy, and the troll – ate the sweet, juicy grass together. The troll wasn't lonely anymore, and the billy goats Gruff had a new friend.
From that day on, the bridge wasn't a scary place, but a place for sharing and kindness. And every night, the troll and the billy goats Gruff would watch the stars together, happy and content.