The Three Billy Goats Gruff
The Three Billy Goats Gruff — an illustrated tales story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Tales.
Page 1
Beneath the cobblestone streets of Grimhollow lived three billy goats: little Gruff, middle Gruff, and great Gruff, each known for their size and even more so, their appetites. A shadowy troll named Grindle guarded the only bridge to the shimmering Fields of Clover, a land rumored to hold feasts beyond imagining. The goats, driven by a hunger deeper than any cavern, dreamt only of crossing, a dream shadowed by the troll's insatiable greed.
Page 2
Little Gruff trembled as he approached the bridge. 'I am so hungry,' he bleated, his voice barely a whisper. 'The clover on this side of the chasm is all gone!' He looked up at his older brothers, his eyes filled with a desperate plea for courage.
Page 3
'Wait!' Little Gruff called out as he saw a faint light glinting on the cavern floor. He bounded over to a strange, reflective puddle. Peering in, he saw only his worried face staring back at him. 'As Socrates said, 'Know thyself',' he pondered, remembering words from an ancient storyteller. 'Perhaps the answer is not what we find over the bridge, but what we bring to it.'
Page 4
A raspy voice boomed from beneath the bridge. 'Who goes there, tripping over my planks?' Grindle's shadow stretched long across the path. Little Gruff squeaked, 'It is only I, little Gruff! I'm going to cross your bridge to graze in the Fields of Clover.'
Page 5
'Then I'm afraid I must eat you!' Grindle snarled, revealing rows of jagged teeth. Little Gruff, ever quick-witted, pleaded, 'Oh no, please! I am but a tiny morsel. Wait for my brother, Middle Gruff; he is much larger, and he will make a far heartier meal.' Grindle considered this, stroking his chin. 'Hmm, perhaps you have a point,' he grumbled.
Page 6
Soon, Middle Gruff cautiously trod onto the bridge, his hooves clattering on the loose stones. Grindle's voice echoed once more: 'Who is that crossing my bridge now?' Middle Gruff, trying to sound brave, replied, 'It is I, Middle Gruff, on my way to the Fields of Clover.'
Page 7
'And I am going to eat you!' the troll bellowed. Middle Gruff, summoning all his courage, stuttered, 'Oh no, please don't! Wait for my brother, Great Gruff. He is enormous, and he will truly fill your belly.' Grindle's eyes gleamed. 'Indeed? A truly enormous goat, you say?' he mused. He licked his lips.
Page 8
At last, Great Gruff's mighty hooves thundered onto the bridge, shaking the very stones. Grindle roared, 'Finally! The feast I have been waiting for!' Great Gruff stood firm, his eyes blazing. 'You shall not pass!' he bellowed. Recalling his brother's words, he grinned. 'A man must not be measured by his strength, but by his actions,' Great Gruff said, citing the words of Mahatma Gandhi.
Page 9
With a mighty leap, Great Gruff charged, lowered his horns, and slammed into Grindle, sending the troll tumbling into the chasm below with a splash. The cavern echoed with a final, fading groan. The Fields of Clover shimmered in the distance, now accessible, but Great Gruff paused, reflecting. 'It wasn't about the clover,' he muttered. 'It was about protecting my brothers.'
Page 10
Together, the three billy goats crossed the bridge, not to gorge themselves on clover, but to explore the Fields of Clover, now knowing that true strength lies not in size or appetite, but in unity and courage. And though the Fields were vast, they knew they would face it together. For the greatest feasts are those shared, not hoarded.
About this story
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)
Questions and answers
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