Little Red Riding Hood

Once upon a time, there was a sweet little girl who was loved by everyone, especially her grandmother. The old woman adored her so much that she made her a beautiful red hooded cape. The girl loved it so much that she wore it every day, and soon everyone began calling her Little Red Riding Hood.

One morning, Little Red Riding Hood’s mother called to her. “My dear, your grandmother is feeling ill. I’ve made some bread and soup for her. Could you take this basket to her house in the woods?”

“Yes, Mama,” said Little Red Riding Hood, happily taking the basket. She loved visiting her grandmother.

“Be careful,” her mother warned. “Stay on the path and don’t talk to strangers.”

Little Red Riding Hood nodded and set off on her way, humming a tune as she skipped down the forest path. The morning sun shone through the trees, casting long shadows on the ground, but Little Red Riding Hood felt safe and happy in the peaceful forest.

As she walked deeper into the woods, a rustling sound in the bushes made her stop. Out from behind a tree stepped a large, sly wolf. His fur was matted, and his eyes gleamed with cunning as he approached her.

“Good morning, little girl,” the wolf said in a silky voice. “Where are you going on such a fine day?”

Little Red Riding Hood, forgetting her mother’s warning for a moment, smiled brightly and said, “I’m going to visit my grandmother. She lives in a little house at the end of this path.”

The wolf’s ears perked up at this. “How lovely! And what do you have in that basket?”

“Some bread and soup for my grandmother,” she said cheerfully.

The wolf licked his lips, thinking quickly. “What a kind girl you are! Why don’t you pick some beautiful flowers for your grandmother? I’m sure she’d love that.”

Little Red Riding Hood looked around and saw colorful flowers growing along the edge of the path. “That’s a wonderful idea! Grandmother will be so happy.”

The wolf watched as Little Red Riding Hood wandered off the path to gather flowers. His eyes gleamed with wicked delight. “Now’s my chance,” he muttered under his breath.

Without a sound, the wolf dashed down the path toward the grandmother’s house. His paws barely touched the ground as he sped through the trees, his mind racing with his plan.

When the wolf reached the cottage, he knocked softly on the door. Inside, the grandmother, weak from illness, called out, “Who is it?”

“It’s me, Little Red Riding Hood,” the wolf said in a sweet, false voice. “I’ve brought you some food.”

“Oh, come in, dear,” the grandmother replied.

The wolf pushed the door open, his eyes gleaming with hunger. He pounced upon the old woman before she could even scream, swallowing her whole in one big gulp. With a satisfied burp, the wolf chuckled to himself and quickly dressed in the grandmother’s nightgown, pulling her cap over his ears.

He climbed into bed, pulling the covers up to his chin. “Now, I’ll wait for the little girl,” he said, grinning wickedly.

A short while later, Little Red Riding Hood arrived at the cottage, her arms full of flowers and her basket in hand. She knocked on the door, excited to see her grandmother.

“Who is it?” the wolf called out in his fake, quavering voice.

“It’s me, Little Red Riding Hood!” she said. “I’ve brought you some bread and soup, and I picked some flowers for you!”

“Oh, how sweet! Come in, my dear,” the wolf replied, trying to sound like the grandmother.

Little Red Riding Hood entered the cottage, but something didn’t feel quite right. The room was darker than usual, and her grandmother’s voice sounded strange.

“Grandmother, are you feeling all right?” she asked, walking over to the bed.

The wolf, still hidden beneath the covers, turned toward her. “Yes, yes, my dear. Come closer so I can see you.”

Little Red Riding Hood stepped closer, but as she did, she noticed something odd. “Grandmother, what big ears you have!” she exclaimed.

“All the better to hear you with, my dear,” the wolf said, his voice dripping with anticipation.

“And grandmother, what big eyes you have!” Little Red Riding Hood said, her heart beginning to race.

“All the better to see you with, my dear,” the wolf replied, licking his lips.

“And grandmother, what big teeth you have!” she gasped, backing away.

The wolf threw off the covers, baring his sharp teeth. “All the better to eat you with!” he roared, lunging at Little Red Riding Hood.

With a scream, Little Red Riding Hood darted away, her heart pounding in her chest. She ran around the cottage, dodging the wolf’s snapping jaws. The wolf chased her, his claws scratching the floor as he snarled in frustration.

Just as the wolf was about to pounce again, the door burst open! A huntsman who had been passing by heard the commotion and rushed in, his axe in hand. “Get away from her, you beast!” he shouted, charging at the wolf.

The wolf, startled and scared, tried to flee, but the huntsman was too quick. With a swift swing of his axe, the huntsman struck down the wolf. The creature let out a final growl before collapsing to the floor.

Little Red Riding Hood, trembling with fear and relief, ran to the huntsman. “Thank you! Oh, thank you for saving me!”

The huntsman smiled and patted her head gently. “You’re safe now, little one. But where is your grandmother?”

Suddenly, Little Red Riding Hood remembered. “The wolf—he must have swallowed her!”

The huntsman carefully approached the wolf’s still body and, with great care, cut open the wolf’s belly. To their amazement, out popped the grandmother, alive but a little shaken.

“Oh, Grandmother!” Little Red Riding Hood cried, throwing her arms around the old woman. “I’m so glad you’re safe!”

“And I’m so glad you are, too,” the grandmother replied, hugging her tightly.

From that day on, Little Red Riding Hood promised never to stray from the path or talk to strangers again. She had learned her lesson well, and whenever she visited her grandmother, she always stayed on the safe path through the woods.

And they all lived happily ever after.