Three Billy Goats Buff (Classic) - Fairytale Story for Kids

Three goat siblings set off on a quest to reach the hill with the healthiest snacks when they butt heads with a very hangry troll. Are they fit for the challenge? Will it take brains or brawn to beat the troll and cross the bridge? Each goat must use their own special strengths to outsmart the greedy troll and protect one another. Clever tricks, sibling teamwork, and one very surprised flying troll will leave you rolling in clover.

This reimagined story of the Norwegian fairytale, Three Billy Goats Gruff, is a Dorktales Classic.

Episode webpage: https://jonincharacter.com/three-billy-goats-buff/

DOWNLOAD FUNSHEET/COLOR PAGE: https://bit.ly/dorktales18funsheet 

GRAB YOUR FREE PDF list of conversation questions for this episode:
https://dorktalesstorytime.aweb.page/ep18freePDF 

PARENTS, TEACHERS AND HOMESCHOOLERS: In this playful retelling of “The Three Billy Goats Gruff,” kids explore how problem-solving can take many forms. Each goat sibling uses a different strength to face a hangry troll, showing that intelligence, creative and strategic thinking, and physical strength all have value. The story also encourages self-confidence, healthy habits, perseverance, and recognizing that everyone approaches challenges differently.

IF YOU ENJOYED THIS STORY about a retelling of a favorite fairytale, we think you’ll also enjoy episode 9, The Boy Who Cried Hedgewolf: https://jonincharacter.com/boy-who-cried-hedgewolf/ 

CREDITS: This episode is a Jonincharacter production. It was written by Amy Thompson, produced by Molly Murphy and performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Pacific Grove Soundworks.

Sign up for FREE access to our Dorktales Resource Library stocked with color pages, activity guides, conversation starter PDFs, printables and more: https://dorktalesstorytime.aweb.page/Dorktales-Library-Card

Transcript

Jonathan 0:01

Hello, Dork Squad. I'm Jonathan Cormur, and you're listening to Dork Tales Storytime, the podcast for kids and their pop culture-loving grown-ups.

Theme Song 0:14

It's a beautiful day for a story, adventure, and glory, new friends and old ones, too. It's an excellent day to get swept away in a tale, so let us regale

Finchbook Fitness Challenge

Theme Song 0:28

you

Redge 0:34

Ninety ninety-one ninety two ninety-three ninety-four

Jonathan 0:44

Oh uh hi Redge.

Redge 0:45

Ninety six Uh

Jonathan 0:52

Whatcha doin'?

Redge 0:54

What ninety-seven? Does ninety-eight? It's ninety-nine look like one hundred

Jonathan 1:08

I mean I guess it looks like you're doing sit-ups. Should I rephrase my question?

Redge 1:15

Go ahead, mate. I'm taking a breather.

Jonathan 1:22

Why are you doing sit-ups?

Redge 1:24

Ah, that's a great question, my boy.

Jonathan 1:27

Mm-hmm.

Redge 1:28

Oh, sorry, I I need a splash of water. Ah, I was parched, hmm.

Jonathan 1:39

And I'm patiently awaiting your answer.

Redge 1:42

Oh yes, right, of course. Uh I was working out.

Jonathan 1:45

Working out?

Redge 1:47

Yes. You know that social media website that all my bird friends use to share their opinions in 250 chirps or fewer?

Jonathan 1:56

Oh yeah. Uh what was it called again?

Redge 2:00

Hmm, it's on the tip of your tongue, is it?

Jonathan 2:03

Uh Tweeter?

Redge 2:07

Uh close. It's Finchbook.

Jonathan 2:10

Aha. Yeah. Well, what does that have to do with sit ups?

Redge 2:16

Well, I'm taking part in a workout challenge. Everyone exercises, and the animal who comes out the strongest by the end of the month gets bragging rights.

Jonathan 2:28

Oh wow. Uh that sounds like a fun challenge.

Redge 2:32

It is. It

Jonathan 2:37

And you're still doing it. Wow, I didn't know you can lift such a large dumbbell.

Redge 2:44

Yes. I can squat twice my body weight. I'm no leafcutter ant,

Jonathan Tells a Story

Redge 2:53

though.

Jonathan 2:55

Well, is it okay if I tell you a story as you uh continue training?

Redge 3:02

Ah of course, mate. I welcome your company.

Jonathan 3:08

Great.

Redge 3:09

But I must warn you, my mind is quite fixated on athletics today.

Jonathan 3:14

Oh?

Redge 3:15

Yes, I failed to mention the challenge started last month, and it ends well tonight. So the only chance I have at winning is remaining focused in these final hours.

Jonathan 3:29

Well, that's quite a coincidence.

Redge 3:32

A coincidence, you say?

Jonathan 3:34

Yeah, your challenge with the other woodland critters goes along perfectly with today's story.

Redge 3:40

Oh, is that so? I adore a good theme. theme parties, theme decor, theme costumes

Jonathan 3:50

And now a theme story. Today I'm telling the tale of the Three Billy Goats Gruff.

Redge 3:58

Em what about Buff?

Jonathan 4:02

Ooh, I like it. The three Billy Goats Buff

Redge 4:07

Perfection

Three Billy Goats Buff?

Redge 4:08 Jonathan 4:09

Great. So here goes. Once upon a time, there were three billy goats with the last name Gr uh Buff. Let's just say the three goat siblings.

Redge 4:24

Sounds fair. I'll do a push-up for each. One, two, three!

Jonathan 4:30

You better keep going, Redge, if you want to win your Finchbook challenge.

Redge 4:35

Uh Righto. Four five six!

Jonathan 4:41

So the three goat siblings wanted to climb up a hill.

Redge 4:44

Nine ten! That sounds like good exercise.

Jonathan 4:48

And the top of that hill was covered in the sweetest clover they all wanted to eat, so they'd be strong and healthy.

Redge 4:58

It is always important that animals

Jonathan 5:01

and people

Redge 5:02

and people try to stay active and eat what feels right for their bodies, so they're healthy and strong. Which is the point of my challenge.

Jonathan 5:12

I couldn't agree more, Redge. So the goat siblings wanted to get to the top of the hill and eat the tastiest clover.

Redge 5:20

Ooh and speaking of snacks, it's snack break time.

Jonathan 5:24

Ah yes. Never work out without proper nutrition and hydration. Here, eat these almonds I keep in my pocket for moments like this. What? Pocket almonds always come through in a pinch.

Redge 5:44

And I fear I've pinched my back doing sit-ups.

Jonathan 5:51

Oh, don't push yourself too hard, buddy. Just listen to the story.

Redge 5:56

Ooh, alright. I can always pause for snack time.

Jonathan 6:02

So, the three goats set out for the hill. But there was one obstacle in their path.

Redge 6:09

Ugh, they didn't begin the challenge on the last day, did they?

Jonathan 6:14

Uh nope, but there was a bridge crossing a river on their path, and under that bridge lived a very hungry troll.

Redge 6:23

Oh no!

First Sibling Goat

Redge 6:24 Jonathan 6:24

And the goats decided to cross the bridge one by one. First up, the youngest of the goat siblings.

Redge 6:32

I certainly hope the troll was friendly.

Jonathan 6:36

More like hungry.

Redge 6:39

Uh-oh.

Jonathan 6:41

Uh-oh is right. As the youngest sibling trotted across the bridge, his hooves went trip-trap, trip-trap, trip-trap, and the troll swung his long, sinewy arm across the young goat's path, dragging his stout and bumpy body up, gnashing his terrible teeth, and shouting,

Troll 7:02

Who's that trip trap trotting across my bridge?

Jonathan 7:08

His eyes landed on the youngest goat.

Troll 7:11

Hmm Yum a goat for my supper. I just love succulent goat. I'm going to gobble you up.

Jonathan 7:26

He continued gnashing his teeth.

Redge 7:29

Oh, does he have to continue? That just sounds horrible.

Jonathan 7:34

Well, he was horrible. He'd never brushed his teeth. He never took a bath, he never did much of anything.

Redge 7:43

Ugh, how could one be so careless? At least I complete challenges

Jonathan 7:50

Right on the final day. Anyway, you're much nicer than a bridge troll. He ate goats just like that for years, and grew accustomed to snatching them from the bridge and gobbling them up.

Redge 8:05

Ooh I shudder to think about it.

Jonathan 8:09

Ah, but the young goat had a plan.

First Goat 8:12

You don't want to eat me

Troll 8:16

I do. What? I don't?

First Goat 8:21

No you see, I'm going up the hillside with my siblings to eat all the clover so that we can grow strong and healthy. But I'm just the smallest goatling. You want someone much more filling than me. My older brother is next. Let me pass, and you can have him instead.

Jonathan 8:56

The troll was stunned. No goat had ever advocated for their sibling to be eaten. The youngster might be crazy, but right. He was too hungry for such a small goatling.

Troll 9:11

Oh all right. Be on your way, so I can eat the older goat. I see him coming now.

Jonathan 9:26

And the youngest goat crossed over to the field of tasty clovers.

Redge 9:31

Jonathan, this isn't right to give up a sibling like that.

Jonathan 9:36

Well, Redge, this should come as no surprise to you. Just like you haven't been doing your social media challenge for the past four weeks, some things are simply not how they appear. Wait for it.

Redge 9:49

Oh

Second Sibling Goat

Redge 9:50

all right.

Jonathan 9:51

So along came the second goat crossing the bridge, a bit larger than his sibling. Trip trap, trip trap, trip trap and out swung the troll again.

Troll 10:06

Who is trip trapping across my bridge?

Second Goat 10:12

It is I

Jonathan 10:14

said the next goat, bravely.

Second Goat 10:17

I'm going up the hill to munch on the tastiest clover ever, so that I may be healthy, strong, and happy.

Troll 10:29

Oh no you're not. You're bigger than the last one. You'll be my supper as I gobble you up.

Jonathan 10:40

He bellowed as he swung one of his long, sinewy arms to grab the second goat, but the second goat took a step away from his grasp and replied

Second Goat 10:51

Oh no wait just one minute there, troll

Troll 10:57

What?

Redge 10:59

Not very patient, is he?

Jonathan 11:01

Well he's a troll, what do you expect?

Redge 11:03

Good point.

Jonathan 11:05

The second goat continued.

Second Goat 11:07

If you eat me, you won't have nearly enough room in your belly for my sibling who's coming next A much larger and therefore a much greater dinner feast for you.

Redge 11:25

Ooh, he's so clever, playing to the troll's greed like that.

Jonathan 11:31

Exactly. These goat siblings are on top of it, and the troll decided to let the second goat go.

Troll 11:40

Okay, you may pass. I can wait for the heartier one to get here. I want a full course supper, like I deserve.

Third Sibling Goat

Troll 11:52 Jonathan 11:52

So the second goat trotted off to the other side of the bridge, and the biggest goat approached. Trip, trap, trip, trap went his louder, larger hooves across the wooden boards. And again the troll swung himself up to the biggest goat's path, drooling now, for he was very hungry.

Redge 12:16

Well, I no longer am. Those almonds were filling. I'm just on the edge of my seat.

Jonathan 12:23

No exercises while you listen to the end of the story?

Redge 12:27

I've lost all motivation. I'm just riveted by this tale. How will the third goat trick the hungry troll?

Jonathan 12:35

He won't.

Redge 12:37

He won't?

Jonathan 12:39

Nope.

Redge 12:41

So he's eaten? That's disappointing.

Jonathan 12:48

Ah, but Redge, you forget what I said. The smaller goats may have needed to trick the troll to escape, but their much larger brother had already grown big enough to face the troll using his strength.

Redge 13:03

Oh my, maybe I should continue with the challenge. That's impressive. Back to push-ups. Where was I? Twenty? Twenty twenty one.

Jonathan 13:15

So the biggest goat squared himself to the troll and began to recite a poem.

Redge 13:21

Twen... I bet the troll did not like that.

Jonathan 13:27

No, the troll was so hungry and angry all at once.

Redge 13:32

You mean hangry, right?

Jonathan 13:36

You're right. He was very hangry as he shouted

Troll 13:41

I'm going to gobble you up.

Jonathan 13:47

But the third goat calmly said,

Third Goat 13:50

I have two horns so stout. With them I'll thrust you ugly troll out. You'll fall from here to the river and stone. So you'll leave the bridge crossers all alone.

Jonathan 14:06

And with that, he headbutted the confused troll straight off the bridge. So you see, each of the three goats used their own personal strengths to keep each other safe.

Brains vs Brawn

Jonathan 14:28 Redge 14:28

No fighting or scuffle? Oh, I love that.

Jonathan 14:32

Yes, the third goat trotted up to meet his siblings, and they all munched on sweet clover and laughed at how wisely they defeated the mean troll.

Redge 14:48

I love how strength can come from your body and also your brain. The sibling goats were as clever as they were fit.

Jonathan 14:56

Just like you. Don't push yourself too hard to win this challenge, Redge. What matters most is you give it your best effort.

Redge 15:05

And next time, I'll try a little sooner than the final day.

Jonathan 15:10

Good idea.

Redge 15:13

Now what's so funny, good sir?

Jonathan 15:15

Uh, nothing. Uh I just love how our story was inspired by an animal social media challenge. Who would have thought?

Redge 15:24

Hehe, yes. It is uh it is pretty silly.

Jonathan 15:31

Animals on social media. Hoo!

Redge 15:35

Oh, it's not just animals on Finchbook and Tweeter. Have you heard about the social media dance craze for clock enthusiasts? You'll never guess what that's called.

Jonathan 15:47

TikTok?

Redge 15:49

How did you know? Hmm.

Redge 15:51 Jonathan 15:51

Just clever, I guess.

Credits & How to Contact Us

Jonathan 15:53

This has been a Jon in Character production. Today's story was written by Amy Thompson, edited by Molly Murphy, and performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Hamilton Studios. Reach out to us on Instagram or email us at DorkTalestorytime at gmail.com. Find links in the show notes or go to dorktalestorytime.com. Now, go be the hero of your own story, and we'll see you next once upon a time.

Theme Song 16:30

So universe imagined turns.