Little Red Riding Hood

Once upon a time, in a small village nestled near a dense forest, there lived a sweet little girl who was loved by everyone, especially her grandmother. Her grandmother had made her a beautiful red cloak with a hood, and the girl wore it so often that she became known as Little Red Riding Hood.

One day, Little Red Riding Hood’s mother called her and said, “Your grandmother is feeling unwell. I baked some fresh bread and prepared a bottle of wine. Take these to her, but be careful. Stay on the path, and don’t talk to strangers.”

Little Red Riding Hood promised to obey and set off with the basket of goodies. As she walked through the forest, she enjoyed the sights and sounds of nature—the chirping birds, the rustling leaves, and the colorful wildflowers. She was so enchanted by the beauty around her that she didn’t notice a sly wolf watching her from the shadows.

The wolf, cunning and hungry, approached her with a friendly smile. “Good day, Little Red Riding Hood,” he said. “Where are you going so early in the morning?”

Little Red Riding Hood, remembering her mother’s warning, hesitated but decided the wolf seemed kind. “I’m going to visit my grandmother,” she said. “She lives in a cottage on the other side of the forest.”

The wolf’s eyes gleamed with mischief. “How lovely! And what do you have in your basket?”

“Some bread and wine,” she replied. “My mother baked it for her because she’s not feeling well.”

The wolf licked his lips. “What a thoughtful child you are! But why not take your time and enjoy the forest? Look at these beautiful flowers. Your grandmother would love a bouquet.”

Little Red Riding Hood looked around and saw the flowers. They were indeed lovely. “You’re right,” she said. “I’ll pick some for her.” She strayed from the path and began gathering flowers, unaware that the wolf was already plotting his next move.

The wolf hurried to the grandmother’s cottage and knocked on the door. “Who’s there?” called the grandmother from inside.

“It’s Little Red Riding Hood,” the wolf replied, disguising his voice. “I’ve brought you some bread and wine.”

“Come in, my dear,” said the grandmother, too weak to get out of bed. “The door is unlocked.”

The wolf entered the cottage and, without hesitation, pounced on the grandmother. He devoured her in one gulp, then put on her nightgown and cap and climbed into her bed, waiting for Little Red Riding Hood.

Meanwhile, Little Red Riding Hood had finished picking flowers and continued on her way. When she reached the cottage, she noticed something strange. The door was ajar, and the house was unusually quiet. “Grandmother?” she called out.

“Come in, my dear,” the wolf replied in a feeble voice.

Little Red Riding Hood entered and approached the bed. She was startled by her grandmother’s appearance. “Oh, Grandmother,” she said, “what big ears you have!”

“The better to hear you with, my dear,” said the wolf.

“And what big eyes you have!”

“The better to see you with, my dear.”

“And what big hands you have!”

“The better to hug you with, my dear.”

“But Grandmother, what big teeth you have!”

“The better to eat you with!” the wolf roared, leaping out of the bed.

Little Red Riding Hood screamed and tried to run, but the wolf caught her and swallowed her whole. Satisfied with his meal, the wolf lay down on the bed and fell into a deep sleep.

Luckily, a woodsman was passing by the cottage. He heard the wolf’s loud snoring and thought it unusual. Peeking through the window, he saw the wolf’s bulging belly and realized what had happened. He burst into the cottage with his axe and, before the wolf could wake, struck him down.

The woodsman carefully cut open the wolf’s stomach, and out came Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother, unharmed. They were overjoyed and thanked the woodsman for saving them.

Little Red Riding Hood learned her lesson. “I’ll never stray from the path again,” she promised. “And I’ll never talk to strangers.”

The grandmother hugged her tightly. “You’re safe now, my dear. That’s all that matters.”

The woodsman dragged the wolf’s body deep into the forest, and the three of them enjoyed the bread and wine together. From that day on, Little Red Riding Hood always obeyed her mother’s warnings and stayed on the path whenever she visited her grandmother.