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by Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe | 1843
Three hungry billy goats, all named Gruff, need to cross a bridge to reach greener pastures. The only problem is the nasty Troll waiting underneath, ready to turn them into lunch.
One by one, the smaller goats use quick thinking to stall him. Then the biggest goat shows up and ends the nonsense with a head-on clash that sends the Troll packing. It's a story about brains, brawn, and not backing down when it counts.
Notable Quotes:
- "Who's that tripping over my bridge?"
- "No, no, by the hair of my chinny chin chin."
- "Oh, no! Pray don't take me. I'm too little, that I am; wait a bit till the second billy-goat Gruff comes, he's much bigger."
- "IT'S I! THE BIG BILLY-GOAT GRUFF."
- "Well, come along! I've got two spears, And I'll poke your eyeballs out at your ears; I've got besides two curling-stones, And I'll crush you to bits, body and bones."
Summary:
- Three Billy Goats Gruff, wanting to get fat on the hillside, must cross a bridge inhabited by a terrifying Troll.
- The youngest billy goat crosses first, convincing the Troll to wait for his bigger brother.
- The middle billy goat then crosses, also persuading the Troll to wait for the biggest brother.
- Finally, the big billy goat Gruff crosses. Instead of tricking the Troll, he confronts him directly.
- The big billy goat uses his horns and strength to defeat the ugly Troll, throwing him into the burn.
- With the Troll gone, all three billy goats safely reach the hillside, get fat, and live happily ever after.
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