Little Red Riding Hood

The story

Once there was a little girl whom everyone loved. Her grandmother loved her most of all, and had sewn her a little red hood and cape of her very own. The girl wore them every single day and would not take them off, so everyone called her Little Red Riding Hood. One morning her mother packed a basket with fresh cakes and a small pot of honey, gave it to her, and said, “Grandmother is not well. Take these to her, and sit with her a while. Keep to the main path, do not wander in the woods, and do not chatter with strangers.” Red Riding Hood nodded hard, took the basket, and set off happily.

Grandmother lived on the far side of the wood, past a deep green forest. Red Riding Hood walked along, humming a little song. All at once there was a rustle in the bushes, and out stepped a big wolf! His stomach was growling with hunger and his head was full of wicked plans, but he put on a friendly smile and asked softly, “Good morning, Little Red Riding Hood. Where are you off to so early?” Forgetting her mother’s warning, she answered honestly, “To see my grandmother, who is ill.” “And where does your grandmother live?” asked the wolf. “In the little cottage under the three big oak trees.” The wolf’s eyes lit up, but he only said kindly, “See what lovely flowers grow here. Pick a bunch for your grandmother — she would be so pleased.” It seemed a kind idea, so she left the path and began to gather them, wandering further and further.

Meanwhile the wolf ran ahead on his long legs and reached Grandmother’s house first. Knock, knock, knock. “Who is there?” called Grandmother. Making his voice high and soft like the girl’s, the wolf said, “It is I, Little Red Riding Hood, with some cakes for you.” Grandmother went to open the door, but the voice sounded rough and strange, and through the crack she saw a shaggy shadow. In a fright she hurried into the big wardrobe in the corner and pulled the door softly shut. The wolf pushed inside, and finding no one, he put on Grandmother’s cap, wrapped a shawl around himself, climbed into bed, and drew the quilt up to his nose, waiting with narrowed eyes.

After a while Red Riding Hood arrived with her flowers. The door stood ajar, the house was very quiet, and from the bed came a low, heavy breathing. She came to the bedside and thought her grandmother looked very strange today, so she asked, one question after another: “Grandmother, what big ears you have!” “All the better to hear you with, my dear.” “Grandmother, what big eyes you have!” “All the better to see you with.” “Grandmother, what big hands you have!” “All the better to hug you with.” “But Grandmother — what a big mouth and what sharp teeth you have!” “All the better to EAT you with!” And with that the wolf sprang up from the bed, opened his great jaws, and lunged at Red Riding Hood! She jumped back and cried out at the top of her voice.

Quick as a flash, a huntsman happened to be passing the house with his axe. Hearing her cry, he kicked the door open and rushed inside. The moment the wolf saw him, he was so frightened that he tumbled off the bed, tucked his tail, and fled out of the window into the forest, never daring to look back. The huntsman flung open the wardrobe and helped out Grandmother, who was trembling inside. She had had a great fright, but she was not hurt at all — quite safe.

That evening, Grandmother, Red Riding Hood, and the huntsman sat around the little round table, shared the cakes, and brewed a pot of warm herb tea. Grandmother patted the child’s head and smiled. “What a narrow escape! How clever you were, and how lucky we are to have such a kind huntsman.” Red Riding Hood’s cheeks went pink, and she thought over her mother’s words one by one and kept them in her heart: keep to the main path, do not simply do as a stranger says, and do not tell them all your business. Outside, the forest slowly grew dark, but inside the lamp glowed warm on three smiling faces.