Slide of the Month - Billy Goat

October 2023

Time to make: 2.5 hours

Finishing: 1 hour

 
Boy's Life Aug. 1983 p. 63

 
Original design:  Lew Weston












The largest of the  Three Billy Goats Gruff is the influence for this slide. An old Norwegian folk tale but in the end instead of the troll, who lived under the bridge, eating the largest of the goats, he is knocked from the bridge into the stream. That is the way I learned it as a child but as I was researching the original translation I came across this;

"Now I 'm coming to gobble you up," roared the troll.

Well, come along! I've got two spears,

And I'll poke your eyeballs out at your ears;

I've got besides two curling-stones,

And I'll crush you to bits, body and bones.

                 That was what the big billy goat said.

Carved from maple the head is a simple shape. Add to the slide the ears and horns, also carved from maple, glued to the head. Painted with hobby paints and sealed with a couple coats of poly.

                    Snip, snap, snout.

                    This tale's told out.