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Once upon a time there were three goats, and they were all named Billy. One was Little Billy, one was Big Billy, and one was Biggest Billy.

Late one summer there was no more grass in their pasture. Not far away was a high hill. On this hill the grass was tall and green.

"Shall we go to the green pasture on the hill?" asked Biggest Billy.

"Yes," said Big Billy. "If we stay here, we shall starve. Come, Little Billy, we will go with Biggest Billy to the pasture on the hill. we can eat and grow fat."

There

On the way they came to a bridge. Under this bridge lived a great ugly fairy. His eyes were as large as saucers, and his nose was as long as your arm. This fairy was called a troll.

Now the goats did not know that a troll lived under the bridge.

"You go first, Little Billy," said the other two goats.

So the little goat's feet went trip-trip, trip-trip, trip-trip, on the bridge. Little Billy saw nothing but the pasture on the hill. He thought of nothing but the green grass.

"Ho, there! Who goes trip-trip over my bridge?" asked the troll.

"It is I, Little Billy," said the goat. "I am going to the hill pasture to eat juicy grass and grow fat."

"You are not going to the hill pasture," said the troll; "for I am coming up to eat you." Up came the troll and put out his long arms to catch the goat.

"Please don't eat me. I am only a little goat," said Little Billy. "Big Billy will cross the bridge soon, and he is much larger than I. Wait for Big Billy."

"Go on, then," said the troll.

and will wait for Big Billy."

"I am hungry

"Oh, thank you!" said Little Billy. He knew that Big Billy could take care of himself.

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Trip-trap, trip-trap, trip-trap, came Big Billy's feet on the bridge. He was looking at the green grass. He was thinking how good it would taste. He did not look at the bridge or under the bridge.

"Ho, there! Who goes trip-trap over my bridge?" asked the troll.

"It is I, Big Billy, the goat. I am going to the hill pasture to eat juicy grass and grow fat."

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No, you are not," said the troll; "for I am coming up to eat you."

Up came the troll and put out his long arms to catch the goat.

"Oh, please don't eat me! I am only Big Billy. Biggest Billy will be here soon. Wait for him. He is much larger than I." He knew that Biggest Billy could take care of himself.

"Very well," said the troll. "You may go. I am very hungry and need a big dinner. I will wait for the biggest goat."

Trap-trap, trap-trap, trap-trap, came Biggest Billy's hoofs upon the bridge.

"Ho, there!" called the troll.

trap-trap across my bridge?"

"Who goes

"It is I, the biggest billy goat. I am going to the hill pasture to eat juicy grass and grow fat, and you can't stop me."

"We will see about that," said the troll. "I am coming up to eat you and pick your bones.'

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"Come on, then," said Biggest Billy. "I am ready for you." And down went Billy's head.

When the troll reached the bridge, Biggest Billy ran to meet him. Bang! went his head against the troll. He caught the troll on his

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horns and tossed him into the water. Then he went across the bridge.

Little Billy, Big Billy, and Biggest Billy soon reached the hill pasture where the grass was green and juicy. They ate and ate and grew so fat that they never wished to cross the bridge again.

The troll floated down the stream and far away. No one ever heard of him again. Any one may use the little bridge now without fear. The troll is there no more.

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