Little Red Riding Hood

At dusk, Little Red’s mother packed a basket with cake for Grandmother, who was ill.

“Stay on the path,” Mother said. “Go straight to Grandmother’s cottage, and do not linger.”

Beneath the trees, a wolf stepped onto the path. He spoke so politely that Little Red did not feel afraid.

When he asked where she was going, Little Red told him about Grandmother’s cottage at the forest’s far end.

The wolf pointed to the moonlit flowers. “Why not pick a few for your grandmother?” he said.

Little Red wandered among the blossoms. While she gathered them, the wolf hurried straight to Grandmother’s cottage.

At the cottage, the wolf knocked and spoke in Little Red’s voice. From her bed, Grandmother called, “Lift the latch, dear.”

The wolf went in and swallowed Grandmother whole. Then he put on her nightcap and climbed into her bed.

Soon Little Red reached the cottage. “Lift the latch, dear,” called a gruff voice from inside.

“Grandmother, what big ears you have!” said Little Red. “All the better to hear you with,” answered the wolf.

“Grandmother, what big eyes you have!” said Little Red. “All the better to see you with,” came the reply.

“Grandmother, what big teeth you have!” cried Little Red. “All the better to eat you with,” said the wolf, and he swallowed her whole.

A passing huntsman heard loud snoring inside the cottage. Knowing Grandmother might need help, he quietly went in.

Inside the sleeping wolf, the huntsman found Grandmother and Little Red, alive and well. Gently, he set them free.

They filled the wolf’s belly with stones. When he woke and tried to run, he fell down and died.

Grandmother ate the cake and felt much better. Little Red promised never again to leave the path, and all was peaceful beneath the moon.