Three Billy Goats Gruff                                                                                                                              

                                                                                                                                                           Revised from Brown County Extension

YOU WILL NEED: 3 goats, one ugly but funny troll, bridge, food items, narrator.

Narrator: (holding book) Once upon a time there lived three billy goats. They lived on a hill, and all they did all day long to was play and eat sweet green grass because that’s what is good for billy goats to do. One day the biggest billy goat looked up and noticed another hill of green grass. It looked like beautiful green grass and maybe clover too. But to get to it he would have to cross a bridge where he had heard a scary troll lived. He chewed and thought and chewed and thought. Then he said…

Big Billy – I’m not afraid of that old troll. I’m big and strong and nobody can stop me. I’m going to cross that bridge and taste some of that sweet green grass over there.

Narrator – So the biggest billy goat started out over the bridge…trip, trap, trip, trap, (clippity clomp sign) went the sound of his hooves as he started to cross the bridge. All of a sudden…a big scary troll appeared.

(sign) Troll – WHO’S THAT CROSSING OVER MY-Y-Y-Y BRIDGE?

Biggest Billy – Why, it’s me. The biggest billy goat gruff. I want to cross over to eat the sweet grass on the hillside over there.

Troll – Well, if you try I’m going to have to eat you up. This is my-y-y bridge, you know.

Biggest Billy – You don’t have to eat ME. If you are hungry what you really need everyday is some grains like bread, or cereal, or rice. The food pyramid shows that you need 6-11 servings of grain foods everyday. Goats aren’t even in the grain group!

Troll – Well, well. I never heard that. I can’t get to the store right now anyway for some bread. I think I’ll just eat you.

Biggest Billy – Oh No - why don’t you try this nice bagel? They’re so chewy and satisfying – it ought to keep you busy for a long time.

Troll – Mmmmm it does look good. Okay. You can cross over then, billy goat.

Narrator – No sooner had the biggest billy goat crossed over and started to eat on the other hill than the middle billy goat looked up and saw his big brother. He decided HE wanted to try out the grass on the other hill, too. So, he started out to cross the bridge. Trip, trap, trip trap, clippity clomp went his hooves across the bridge. Again, the big troll popped his scary head up and shouted.

Troll – WHO’S THAT CROSSING OVER MY-Y-Y-Y BRIDGE?

Middle Billy – It’s only me, the middle billy goat, Mr. Troll.

Troll – I’m going to eat you up if you try. This is my-y-y bridge.

Middle Billy – Oh, please don’t eat me, Mr. Troll. I see you didn’t eat my brother. By the way, have you eaten any fruits or vegetables yet today?

Troll – No. I don’t think I have. Who cares?

Middle Billy – It’s important – if you want to be a healthy, strong troll! You need to eat 5 servings a day of fruits and vegetables EVERYDAY. I bet you’d like this nice yellow banana.

Troll – I must say that looks good.

Middle Billy – And how about some nice raw carrots for munching? And some of this yummy green broccoli for later?

Troll – OKAY! Wow! This looks very nice. Lots of pretty colors. You can cross over my bridge, billy.

Narrator – So the middle billy goat crossed over the bridge and ran up the hill to his big brother and began eating grass on the hillside. Finally, the littlest billy goat looked up, realized he was all alone and decided he too wanted to cross over and eat grass with his two brothers on the other hill. Trip, trap, trip, trap, clippity clomp (higher pitched voice) went the sound of his tiny hooves as he began to cross over the bridge. And AGAIN the big troll yelled out….

Troll – WHO’S THAT CROSSING OVER MY-Y-Y-Y BRIGE?

Little Billy – Oh, it’s only me Mr. Troll, sir. I want to cross over the bridge so that I can eat grass with my brothers.

Troll – Well. I’m going to have to eat you up. It is my bridge. Those are the rules, kid.

Little Billy – Oh, PLEASE don’t eat me Mr. Troll. Too much meat isn’t good for you, you know. You only need 2-3 servings a day – and each serving should only be the size of…this deck of cards here. Did you know that that there are other foods on the food pyramid that contain protein besides meat like eggs and BEANS. Beans are great because they contain almost NO fat and no cholesterol. You have to watch those things, you know, Mr. Troll.

Troll – Oh, I know. I know. I want to be a strong, healthy troll for a long time yet, Little Billy.

Little Billy – Here. Try this bean burrito that I just happen to have with me. You’ll like it – it’s very tasty.

Troll – Well, thank you, Little Billy. You’re very kind.

Little Billy – You look thirsty, too, Mr. Troll. Try this nice glass of low-fat milk. We all need 2-3 servings of milk everyday, too. It keep our bones and teeth strong and healthy.

Troll – Well, thank you again, Little Billy. Hmmm this burrito is very tasty.

Little Billy – NOW can I cross over your bridge, Troll?

Troll - (pause) NO!

Little Billy – Why not?

Troll – I’m lonesome!! Would you play with me? Hey! We could use these cards. Wanna play Old Maid? Anything! I don’t have ANY friends

Narrator – And the Troll begins to cry.

Little Billy – OKAY! I’ll just go get my two brothers and we can all play. Ever play GO FISH?

Troll – No, but I’ll learn. Say, do you want to stay for lunch? I happen to have some nice broccoli here… and some carrots.

Little Billy – HEY brothers… It’s party time!

Narrator – So the other goats came tripping back across the bridge and they all played and played – after lunch of course. The Troll confessed that he really didn’t want to eat everyone that crossed his bridge, but he thought it was expected of him. He liked the pyramid plan much better. The Troll and the goats became great friends, played together everyday and ate great pyramid food.

THE END