The Three Billy Goats Gruff

Just a little fun thing that popped out. Enjoy!

"Aaahh!" Clyde slipped off the footbridge and splashed into the very cold stream. "That's it! That is the last time I cross that slippery bridge."

"You have to balance just right," Blinky said as he stepped lightly across.

"It's easy for you," Clyde said. "Mountain goats have good balance. But trolls like me have a harder time."

"It is tricky," Pinky said as she crossed after her brother. "I've fallen off more than once myself."

"We should build a new bridge," Clyde said decisively. "A wide one, with proper rails, and high enough above the stream that it doesn't get wet and slippery."

"Where are we going to get the supplies?" Pinky asked.

"We could start a collection," Clyde said. "I'm sure everyone would like a new bridge."

"I'll help," Blinky said. "I have to cross that bridge every day to get to the field where I eat my grass."

"Me too," Pinky said.

"We'll talk to every person in Little Village right now," Clyde said. They started off.

The villagers were excited about the idea of a new bridge. The woodsman donated the lumber, and they borrowed tools from the Pigg family. Jack even gave them a giant can of green paint, and nearly everyone came to help build.

"I hope it's done by tomorrow," Pinky said as she set down her pile of wood.

"Why tomorrow?" Clyde asked.

"Our older brother, Inky is coming to visit from Big Village," Blinky said. "It would be nice if the bridge were finished."

"Well, let's get going," Clyde said. "If we work hard enough, it'll be done soon."

So they measured and sawed, carried and placed, hammered and nailed. They pulled up the old bridge and put down the new. Scrape, scrape, pound, pound, pound. At last, after a few splinters and a few sore thumbs, the new bridge stood proudly over the stream.

"We're finished!" shouted Blinky. Everyone cheered.

Clyde looked at the sky. It was almost sunset. "We'll just leave the paint here for tomorrow," said Clyde. He tucked the paint can and brushes under one end of the new bridge for safekeeping. Good night!"

"Good night!"

"Good night!" 

The next morning, Clyde woke up early. He went out to the bridge and ducked under it to get the paint when he heard a light clip-clop, clip-clop on the bridge above him. He poked his head out to see what was going on.

"Oh, it's you, Pinky," he said. "Do you want to help me paint the bridge?"

"Sure, I'll help," Pinky yawned. "Just let me get some breakfast first."

"Okay," said Clyde, and Pinky clip-clop, clip-clopped to the other side of the bridge.

Clyde had just pulled the paint out when he heard a heavier clip-clop on the bridge.

That must be Blinky, Clyde thought, as he came out. And it was.

"I'll be glad to help paint," Blinky said. "Just let me get some breakfast first."

"Okay," said Clyde, and Blinky clip-clop, clip-clopped to the other side of the bridge.

Clyde had half of one side painted when Pinky returned.

"Don't step in the paint," Clyde said.

"I'll be careful," Pinky said as she clip-clopped across the bridge and picked up a paint brush.

They worked quickly, and they had a whole side finished by the time Blinky returned.

"You've been very busy," Blinky said as he clip-clopped onto the bridge.

"You'll have to walk on the left side," Clyde said. "This side is still wet."

With the three of them working together, the bridge was soon painted.

"You go and get washed up so you can meet your brother," Clyde said. "I'll wash out the brushes. With this bright sunlight, the paint should be dry in no time."

Just as he got down the stream to rinse out the paint, Clyde heard a loud CLIP-CLOP, CLIP-CLOP on the bridge above.

I guess that must be Inky, Clyde thought. He jumped out to introduce himself, and almost hit Inky.

Inky jumped back and bleated in surprise. Before Clyde could say a word, Inky lowered his head and butted Clyde hard.

Clyde went flying into the stream. Pinky helped him out, and soon he was dripping water on the bank.

"Inky doesn't like to be surprised," Blinky said.

"Yes, sorry about that," Inky said. "You popped up so suddenly that I didn't think."

"That all right," Clyde said as he started cleaning up the paint can and brushes. "Even with a new bridge, I still end up in the stream."

At that, they all laughed.