Billy goat not so gruff
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (357179)
Rockingham, Australia
May 14, 2025 7:58pm CST
Vince has a Facebook account and put up a photo of one of my sister’s little goats, saying it didn’t look very gruff, which got me thinking if some of today’s younger people would get the reference. The Three Billy Goats Gruff is a Norwegian fairytale and many of my vintage would have had it read to them somewhere along the line.
Another that comes up occasionally is when a person manages to, say, do two or three things at once rather than just one, is ‘Two/three at one blow. Better put that on your belt’, which is a reference to another fairytale The Brave Little Tailor.
Do today’s kids still get read these ancient tales? I somehow doubt it what with so many other great books around. What do you think, and can you come up with any more references that may not be understood nowadays?
Photo is mine but taken in a previous year.
22 people like this
24 responses
@DaddyEvil (152154)
• United States
15 May
I read The Three Billy Goats Gruff to Pretty when she was little and passed books like that on to my favorite niece for her kids when Pretty outgrew them.
I've heard of but never read The Brave Little Tailor. So I didn't get the reference to it.
Kids now get books like The Brave Little Toaster read to them or they watch the video of it online. There are a LOT of kids books that were made into videos around the time Pretty was growing up and I know my niece let her kids watch those on her laptop.
7 people like this
@sallypup (65027)
• Centralia, Washington
15 May
@DaddyEvil The illustrations in those vintage kid's books were works of art. Just fabulous.
5 people like this
@DaddyEvil (152154)
• United States
15 May
@sallypup Yes, you're right. The pictures were gorgeous.
5 people like this
@kareng (76694)
• United States
15 May
Those were great stories and tales. I don't think they are referenced like they used to be when we were growing up. I know I gave my grandchildren all a couple of fairy tale collections, but beyond the toddler years, I don't recall them being mentioned again.
3 people like this
@thislittlepennyearns (64663)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
15 May
I had no idea it was a Norweigian fairytale. I should, I'm like 75 percent norweigian.
3 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (49954)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
15 May
"Very well, I'll do it myself," said the Little Red Hen...
"I think I can, I think I can," said the little engine.
Pretty much sum up my attitude to life.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (118508)
• Marion, Ohio
15 May
I don't think those are well known anymore.
2 people like this
@cpefley (1941)
• San Jose, California
16 May
I remember reading them when I was a girl, but I don't know if any of my kids have. Perhaps the older ones, but I don't think I've read them many fairytales. I mean, I've read them lots of stories, but not really classic fairytales. l think the way we teach our children has changed so much!
@JudyEv (357179)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 May
There is so much choice when it comes to kids' stories. I can imagine the older type fairytales falling out of favour.
@Traceyjayne (2647)
• United Kingdom
15 May
We still use the story of the' Three billy goats gruff' in schools in the uk. I have never heard of 'The Brave Little Tailor.'
2 people like this
@Dreamerby (8668)
• Calcutta, India
17 May
Wow such an interesting piece of info. A Norwegian fairytale
Btw I am reminded of this song "Norwegian Woods" by the Beatles...they used an Indian instrument in their song...taht's how I got to know about it.
Btw I am reminded of this song "Norwegian Woods" by the Beatles...they used an Indian instrument in their song...taht's how I got to know about it.1 person likes this
@JudyEv (357179)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 May
@Dreamerby Haha. I find that a bit funny but I guess it's just a cultural difference.
1 person likes this
@Dreamerby (8668)
• Calcutta, India
18 May
@JudyEv Oh yes many but some of them involve polygamy lol. About kings and queens. 
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (191982)
• United States
15 May
I don't know about today's kids, but I certainly read Billy Goats Gruff when I was little. I think my dad read it to me, before I could read myself, but once I learned to read..I read it myself.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (191982)
• United States
17 May
@JudyEv We had a giant fairy tale oil and read skit of them
1 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (7481)
• United Kingdom
17 May
I was brought up reading and listening to fairy tales. The Three Billy Goats Gruff is a great tale of not being greedy. 
I particularly liked Hans Christian Andersen: The Ugly Duckling, The Emperor’s New Clothes, The Princess and the Pea, to name a few. The movie about him played by Danny Kaye, is a great watch. 
I also enjoyed The Brothers Grimm tales, which were a lot more sinister. Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, and the scary Rumpelstiltskin!
Going further back in time, way before Jesus was even a twinkle in God’s eye, Aesop wrote some epic fables. The morals of which are still true today. He wrote many, but some of my favourites are: The Fox and the Crow, The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, and of course The Tortoise and the Hare. Brilliant stuff from such a lowly slave.
I particularly liked Hans Christian Andersen: The Ugly Duckling, The Emperor’s New Clothes, The Princess and the Pea, to name a few. The movie about him played by Danny Kaye, is a great watch.
I also enjoyed The Brothers Grimm tales, which were a lot more sinister. Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, and the scary Rumpelstiltskin!
Going further back in time, way before Jesus was even a twinkle in God’s eye, Aesop wrote some epic fables. The morals of which are still true today. He wrote many, but some of my favourites are: The Fox and the Crow, The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, and of course The Tortoise and the Hare. Brilliant stuff from such a lowly slave.1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (20717)
• United States
20 May
I'm 45. I know the Three Billy Goats Gruff. But I didn't read The Brave Little Tailor.
1 person likes this
@pitsipeahie (5313)
•
16 May
Thanks for sharing your goat pics. They always make me smile. They give me good vibes!
1 person likes this
