21 BILLY GOAT AND THE WOLF

Billy Goat was eating grass in the meadow.
His mother, Nanny Goat, was eating grass in the meadow, too.
Billy Goat ran after a butterfly.
He chased the butterfly into the woods.
It grew very dark, and Billy Goat became frightened.
He heard a fierce growl, —“Gr-r!”
There stood a big, hungry Wolf.
“Gr-r! I am going to eat you,” said the Wolf. “Have you anything to say before I eat you?”
“I know that you can kill me,” said Billy Goat. “But may I ask a favor before you do?”
“What do you wish, Billy Goat?”
“Will you play for me to dance? I have heard that you play well,” said Billy Goat.
“Yes, I will,” said the Wolf.
So the Wolf played the music, and Billy Goat danced.
By and by the Wolf stopped playing.
“It is time for my dinner,” said he.
“Please play once more, only once more,” said Billy Goat. “You play so well, so very well, I could dance all day to your music.”
“Very well, I will,” said the Wolf. And he played once more for Billy Goat to dance.
The dogs heard the music and came to see who was playing. So the Wolf had to run for his life. Billy Goat scampered away, too. As he ran down the road he saw his mother coming to look for him.
“Oh, Mother!” he cried. “The dogs are coming!”
“Let us run and hide,” said Nanny Goat.
They ran back to the meadow.
And Billy Goat never chased a butterfly again.