The Three Goats
by Unknown · from Tales of Laughter: A third fairy book
Adapted Version
Once upon a time, there were three goats. They wanted to eat green, yummy grass. Little Goat was small. Middle Goat was bigger. Big Goat was very big. They went to find good food.
They came to a bridge. A big, scary monster lived under it. It was the Bridge Monster. No one crossed the bridge.
Little Goat walked onto the bridge. "Creak, creak!" went the old bridge. He took small, careful steps. "Creak, creak!" it said again.
"Who walks on my bridge?" growled the monster. Its voice was loud. "I will come get you now!" "Oh, it is only me," said Little Goat. His voice was very small. "I am Little Goat."
"Please, do not take me," said Little Goat. "I am very small. Wait for Middle Goat. He comes next. He is much bigger. He is tastier than me." The monster agreed.
Middle Goat walked onto the bridge. "Creaky, creak!" went the old bridge. It was louder this time. He took strong, heavy steps. "Creaky, creak!" it said.
"Who is on my bridge?" growled the monster. "I will eat you!" "It is only me," said Middle Goat. "I am Middle Goat. Wait for Big Goat. He is much bigger. He is tastier." The monster agreed.
Big Goat walked onto the bridge. "CREAK! CRACK!" went the old bridge. It shook and groaned loudly. Big Goat was very big. He made the bridge shake.
"Who is on my bridge?" growled the monster. "I will eat you now!" "It is Big Goat!" he said. His voice was deep. "I am not scared. I have two big horns."
"Come here!" said Big Goat. He lowered his head. He pushed the Bridge Monster hard. He used his strong horns. The monster fell into the water. Splash! It went away. It did not come back. The three goats crossed the bridge. They found the green, yummy grass. They ate and ate. They were very happy. They lived happily ever after.
Original Story
The Three Goats
Once upon a time there were three goats that were sent to some pasture-lands in order to be fattened, and all three happened to be named Brausewind. On their road to the pasture there was a bridge across a river which they must pass, and under the bridge lived a gigantic and horrible spirit, whose eyes were as large as two pewter plates, and whose nose was as long as the handle of a hoe.
The youngest goat Brausewind first came along, and stepped upon the bridge.
“Creak, creak!” complained the bridge.
“Who is tripping over my bridge?” cried the elf underneath.
“Oh! it is only the smallest of the goats named Brausewind,” said the goat in a very shrill voice.
“Then I shall come and fetch you,” cried the elf.
“Nay, do not come for me, for I am still so little,” said the goat; “wait a bit, till the second Brausewind comes, for he is much larger than I am.”
“Very well,” quoth the elf.
After a while the other goat Brausewind came along, and he began to go over the bridge.
“Creaky creak!” cried the bridge again.
“Who is tramping over my bridge?” cried the elf.
“Oh! it is only the second goat Brausewind; I am going to the pasture-lands to get a little fatter,” answered the goat, but in a less soft voice than the first.
“Then I shall come and fetch you,” said the elf.
“Nay, do not take me, but wait a bit till the large goat Brausewind comes, for he is a great deal bigger than I am.”
“Very well,” replied the elf.
443It was not long before the big goat Brausewind reached the same spot.
“Creak, creak!” went the bridge, as if it were going to split.
“Who comes thundering over my bridge?” cried the elf.
“The big goat Brausewind,” said the goat in a gruff voice.
“Then I shall come and fetch you,” cried the elf.
“Well, come if you like; I’ve two spears in my head,
With which I can easily strike you dead.
Yes, come if you like; and with thundering stones
I shiver to powder your brains and your bones,”
replied the goat; and, butting at the elf, he easily broke every bone in his body, after which he threw him into the river, and followed the other goats to the pastures.
And here the goats grew so very, very, very fat that they were not able to come home again; and, unless they have grown thinner since, they are probably there still.
Story DNA
Moral
It is wise to use your wits and courage to overcome obstacles, especially when facing a stronger foe.
Plot Summary
Three goats, all named Brausewind, must cross a bridge to reach lush pastures, but a fearsome spirit lives underneath. The youngest and middle goats trick the spirit into waiting for a larger goat. Finally, the big goat Brausewind confronts the spirit, defeats it with its horns, and throws it into the river. The goats then safely reach the pastures, growing so fat they can't return.
Themes
Emotional Arc
fear to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This story is a variant of the Norwegian 'Three Billy Goats Gruff', sharing a common European folk tradition of trickster tales involving bridge-dwelling monsters.
Plot Beats (11)
- Three goats, all named Brausewind, are sent to pasture-lands to get fat.
- Their path requires crossing a bridge under which a gigantic, horrible spirit lives.
- The youngest goat Brausewind steps onto the bridge, causing it to creak.
- The spirit demands to know who is crossing, and the youngest goat identifies itself.
- The youngest goat tricks the spirit into waiting for the second, larger goat.
- The second goat Brausewind crosses, and the bridge creaks again.
- The spirit confronts the second goat, who also tricks it into waiting for the largest goat.
- The big goat Brausewind crosses the bridge, making it creak loudly.
- The spirit confronts the big goat, who defiantly challenges it with its horns.
- The big goat butts the spirit, breaking its bones and throwing it into the river.
- The goats reach the pastures and grow so fat they cannot return home.
Characters
Youngest Goat Brausewind ◆ supporting
A small, nimble goat, likely with a light, agile build. Its fur is probably soft and short, typical of a young goat, and its horns are just beginning to sprout, small and undeveloped.
Attire: None, as it is an animal.
Wants: To reach the lush pastures and grow fat, and to avoid being eaten by the elf.
Flaw: Its small size makes it vulnerable and fearful.
Does not undergo significant change, but successfully avoids danger.
Timid, clever, and a bit deceptive, using its small size to avoid confrontation.
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, young goat with short, light brown fur and tiny nubs for horns, standing on a wooden bridge. It has wide, slightly fearful eyes and a small, pointed muzzle. Its posture is tentative, with one hoof slightly raised. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Second Goat Brausewind ◆ supporting
A medium-sized goat, larger than the youngest but not yet fully grown. Its build is sturdier than the youngest, with more developed muscles. Its fur might be a slightly darker shade than the youngest, and its horns are more prominent, perhaps curved slightly.
Attire: None, as it is an animal.
Wants: To reach the lush pastures and grow fat, and to avoid being eaten by the elf.
Flaw: Still not strong enough to confront the elf directly.
Does not undergo significant change, but successfully avoids danger.
Cautious, somewhat brave, and also clever, following its younger sibling's strategy.
Image Prompt & Upload
A medium-sized goat with light brown fur, slightly darker than a fawn, and small, curved horns. It stands on a wooden bridge, looking forward with a determined but wary expression. Its build is sturdy, and its hooves are firmly planted. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Big Goat Brausewind ★ protagonist
A large, powerful, and fully grown goat with a robust, muscular build. Its fur is likely thick and shaggy, possibly a darker, more grizzled color. It possesses impressive, thick, and sharply pointed horns, described as 'two spears'.
Attire: None, as it is an animal.
Wants: To reach the lush pastures and grow fat, and to protect itself and its siblings from the elf.
Flaw: Perhaps a tendency to be overly aggressive, though it serves him well in this story.
Acts as the hero, overcoming the antagonist and ensuring the safety of his family.
Brave, defiant, strong, and aggressive when provoked. It is unafraid to confront danger head-on.
Image Prompt & Upload
A large, powerful adult goat with thick, shaggy dark brown fur and massive, sharply pointed, curved horns. It stands defiantly on a wooden bridge, its muscular body tensed, with a gruff and determined expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Elf ⚔ antagonist
A gigantic and horrible spirit. Its eyes are described as 'as large as two pewter plates', suggesting they are unnaturally big, round, and possibly dull or metallic in sheen. Its nose is 'as long as the handle of a hoe', indicating an elongated, grotesque, and possibly hooked or pointed proboscis. Its body is unseen but implied to be massive and menacing, living under a bridge.
Attire: None, as it lives under a bridge and is a spirit, likely unclad or covered in moss/grime.
Wants: To eat anyone who crosses its bridge.
Flaw: Its gullibility and overconfidence, leading it to underestimate its opponents.
Serves as the obstacle for the goats, and is ultimately defeated and killed.
Greedy, menacing, easily tricked, and ultimately vulnerable to superior strength.
Image Prompt & Upload
A grotesque, gigantic spirit with skin like rough stone, emerging from under a dark wooden bridge. It has two enormous, round, dull grey eyes, the size of dinner plates, and a grotesquely long, bony nose that resembles a hoe handle. Its mouth is a wide, dark slit. Its body is unseen, but its head and upper torso are massive and menacing. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
The Bridge over the River
A creaking bridge spanning a river, under which a gigantic and horrible spirit resides. The bridge groans underfoot, suggesting it might be old or rickety. The river flows beneath.
Mood: Tense, foreboding, dangerous due to the lurking spirit
All three goats encounter the elf here, culminating in the big goat's confrontation and victory.
Image Prompt & Upload
A weathered, rustic wooden bridge with rough-hewn planks, showing signs of age and heavy use, spans a dark, fast-flowing river. The water beneath is deep and murky, reflecting the underside of the bridge in distorted patterns. Overcast sky casts a dim, even light, highlighting the dampness on the wood. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Pasture-lands
Expansive, fertile grazing grounds where the goats are sent to fatten. It is implied to be a place of abundance and safety after the bridge encounter.
Mood: Peaceful, abundant, idyllic, safe
The goats reach this destination and grow very fat, indicating a period of peace and plenty.
Image Prompt & Upload
Vast, undulating green pasture-lands stretch under a bright, clear blue sky, dotted with clusters of vibrant wildflowers in shades of yellow and purple. The grass is tall and lush, swaying gently in a soft breeze, with distant rolling hills defining the horizon. Sunlight bathes the landscape in a warm, inviting glow. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
