Little Red Riding Hood

Once upon a time, there was a sweet little girl who always wore a red hooded cape. Everyone called her Little Red Riding Hood. One day, her mother said, "Grandmother is feeling unwell. Take her this basket of cakes and be careful. Stay on the path and do not talk to strangers!" Little Red Riding Hood promised and skipped into the forest.

The Sly Wolf

Deep in the forest, she met a big wolf. "Good morning, little girl," he said slyly. "Where are you going?" Forgetting her mother's warning, she told him all about her grandmother's cottage. "What lovely flowers!" said the wolf, pointing. "Why not pick some for your grandmother?" While Little Red Riding Hood picked flowers, the wolf ran quickly to the cottage. He knocked, and in his gentlest voice called, "It is I, your granddaughter!" The poor grandmother opened the door, and the wolf gobbled her up in one bite. Then he put on her nightcap and climbed into her bed.

What Big Eyes You Have!

Soon Little Red Riding Hood arrived. She looked at the figure in the bed and said, "Grandmother, what big eyes you have!" "All the better to see you with, my dear," said the wolf. "Grandmother, what big ears you have!" "All the better to hear you with, my dear." "Grandmother, what big teeth you have!" "All the better to eat you with!" growled the wolf, jumping out of bed!

Just then, a brave woodcutter passing by heard the noise. He rushed in with his axe, chased the wolf away, and — wonder of wonders — out popped Grandmother, safe and sound, for the wolf had swallowed her whole! Little Red Riding Hood hugged her grandmother tightly. "I will never again leave the path or talk to strangers," she promised.

Flowers in the Meadow

The meadow was full of the prettiest flowers Little Red Riding Hood had ever seen — red poppies, blue cornflowers, and daisies white as snow. Butterflies danced above them, and a little rabbit hopped past. "Grandmother will love these!" she said, bending to pick a big bunch. She wandered farther and farther from the path, humming a happy song, while the sun played hide and seek behind the leaves.

But the sly wolf was not picking flowers. He was running as fast as his legs could go, straight to Grandmother's cottage. By the time Little Red Riding Hood had gathered a basket full of blooms and skipped back to the path, the wolf was already knocking at the cottage door. If only she had remembered her mother's words: stay on the path, and do not talk to strangers!

The wolf walked beside her for a while, asking sly questions and smiling his widest smile. "Your grandmother must be very proud of you," he said sweetly. "Does she live far from here?" Little Red Riding Hood, who had never met a talking wolf before, answered every question without thinking. She did not notice his hungry eyes or his sharp white teeth, because she was too busy admiring the flowers.

Moral of the Story

Listen to your parents' warnings and never talk to strangers. Staying safe is the wisest choice.