Once upon a time there were three male goats from the same family: a small inexperienced kid, his middle-aged and medium-sized father, and the grandfather who was a large and very clever goat who knew everything.
The three goats loved each other very much, they protected each other, and they always went from here to there in a group, very close together so as not to get lost in the mountains and to defend themselves in case of trouble.
One day, first thing in the morning, they went out to eat grass in the same place as always, but when they reached the meadow they discovered that the fresh grass had disappeared. They thoroughly poked the ground but nothing … There was not a single blade of crisp green grass to put in your mouth!
The grandfather looked at the horizon thoughtfully. His family needed to eat and as head of the clan he had to find a solution to the serious problem.
A couple of minutes later, he found her: there was no choice but to cross the stone bridge over the river to reach the hills beyond the bank.
– We have to try! I have never been there, not even when I was a kid, but I remember very well the stories my ancestors told about how abundant and delicious the grass is in that place.
If Grandpa thought it was for the best, there was no more to say. Without question, the two goats followed him to the bridge. Unfortunately, no one imagined that it was guarded by a horrible and evil troll who did not let anyone pass.
The smallest and craziest was anxious and wanted to be the first to cross. When she was almost halfway there, the hideous monster appeared before her. The poor thing gave herself a fright that she almost fell into the river!
– Where do you think you are going?!
– I go to the other side of the river in search of fresh grass to eat.
– That’s not funny! This bridge is mine! I’m starving too, so I’m going to eat you right now!
The goat was shaking up to the snout, but she was able to improvise something witty so that the troll wouldn’t attack her.
– Sir, wait a minute! I am too small to satisfy your appetite and I will not do you much good. Behind me comes a goat that is much bigger than me. I assure you that if you let me pass and wait a few seconds, you will be able to see it!
The ogre was so hungry that he thought he could not miss the opportunity for a better feast.
– Okay, cross over! We’ll see if you tell me the truth!
The little goat went on her way and got to safety.
Meanwhile his father, the medium goat, reached the bridge. He began to cross it calmly but halfway through the troll appeared before his nose.
– Where do you think you are going?!
– I go to the other side of the river in search of fresh grass to eat.
– That’s not funny! This bridge is mine! I’m starving too, so I’m going to eat you right now!
The medium goat, paralyzed with fear, tried to speak slowly so that the monster would not notice her nervousness.
– I know you are wanting to eat me, but if you let me cross you will see that behind me comes a goat much bigger than me Believe me when I tell you that it is worth the wait!
The troll was beginning to lose patience.
– It’s fine! Why eat you when I can fill my belly with a goat twice your size? I hope what you say is true. Pass before I regret it!
The medium goat quickened her pace without looking back and reached the other shore.
The older goat crossed the bridge with that panache and confidence that the years give when, halfway through, the troll assaulted him. From the face of few friends he had, he seemed willing to capture her to satisfy his appetite.
– Where do you think you are going?!
– I go to the other side of the river in search of fresh grass to eat.
– That’s not funny! This bridge is mine! I’m starving too, so I’m going to eat you right now!
This time the troll didn’t know who he was playing with! The goat, brave like no other, stretched out, puffed out its chest and said in a deep voice:
– Are you threatening me? Do not make me laugh! You’re the one who must be afraid of me!
The troll smirked and replied mockingly:
– I know you are not going to eat me, stupid goat, because you goats only swallow grass all the time. What a disgusting thing! You must have green teeth from chewing chlorophyll so much!
The goat was enraged. Clenching his jaws with the rage that entered him, he stared into the troll’s bulging eyes and yelled at him:
– No, I’m not going to eat you, but I’m going to send you far away from here so you can stop bothering!
Before he could react, it jumped on top of him and stomped on him with its slender but strong paws. Then he picked it up with his horns and threw it into the air. The troll shot out like a dart, fell into the water, and as he did not know how to swim, the current carried him to distant lands forever.
The goat grandfather stared into infinity until he made sure it disappeared from his sight. Then, with dignity, he smoothed his beard and continued steadily on the bridge.
Upon reuniting with his son and grandson, the three embraced. They had been saved thanks to the ingenuity and complicity that existed between them. Very happy, they went humming and hopping towards the green hills to gorge themselves on the luscious grass that covered them.
