Fred isn't your regular character. He's a billy goat, and an unlikable one at that. You see, Fred has this bad fetish - he likes to butt people. Yep, you shouldn't bend over when Fred's around.
When Laura's helping a local farmer's wife with some chores, he meets Fred and saves him from becoming their next meal. Just because Fred butted the neighbor in the backside is NO reason to get rid of the poor thing - at least Laura thinks. So she makes a deal with the farmer and takes him home.
Her mother is naturally not too pleased with having Fred on their farm, but she tells Laura to put him in the barn and ask her father. Unfortunately, before the opportunity arises, Fred meets Charles personal-like, if you know what I mean. Charles wants the goat gone, but agrees that Laura can keep him until she can find somewhere else he can go.
Unfortunately, Charles changes that statement the next morning after Fred eats some of the reeds he spent all day pulling the day before. Charels is very angry and orders Laura to get rid of the billy goat that very day! Laura starts out alone, but soon convinces Carl to help her find Fred a home. They try various people: Mr. Edwards, Willie Olsen, Dr. Baker, and even the preacher. All of them end up hating the goat for the same reason: they all meet Fred personal-like (except for Willie - who's mother is the one who meets Fred...) The funniest part of the entire episode is when Fred butts Mrs. Olsen. That scene is downright hilarious! I think Mrs. Olsen has finally got some of that payback she deserved.
One of my FAVORITE episodes!!!