Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf

Once upon a time, there lived a sweet little girl who had the most beautiful red velvet hood. She wore it everywhere—to the market, to the garden, even to bed sometimes! Everyone called her Little Red Riding Hood.

One sunny morning, Mama said, "Grandma isn't feeling well.

Will you take her this basket of yummy treats?"

Little Red Riding Hood peeked inside. Warm muffins! Fresh butter! A jar of strawberry jam! "Yes, Mama! I'll go right now!"

"Remember," Mama said, "stay on the path. Don't talk to strangers. Go straight to Grandma's house."

"I promise!" said Little Red Riding Hood, and off she skipped into the forest.

The forest smelled like pine trees and wild flowers. Birds sang cheerful songs. Butterflies danced in the sunshine. Little Red Riding Hood hummed a happy tune.

Suddenly, a big wolf stepped out from behind a tree. His fur was gray and scruffy. His teeth were very, very pointy.

"Good morning, little girl," the wolf said with a toothy smile. "Where are you going?"

Little Red Riding Hood stopped. She remembered Mama's words, but the wolf seemed so polite. "I'm visiting my grandma. She lives in the cottage past the old oak tree."

"How lovely!" said the wolf. His eyes sparkled with a sneaky idea. "Why don't you pick some pretty flowers for her? Sick people love flowers!"

"What a wonderful idea!" said Little Red Riding Hood. She set down her basket and started picking daisies and buttercups.

The wolf grinned a wicked grin. Then he raced through the forest as fast as his legs could carry him—zoom, zoom, zoom!—straight to Grandma's cottage.

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK!

"Who's there?" called Grandma from her bed.

The wolf made his voice sound sweet and high. "It's me, Little Red Riding Hood!"

"Come in, dear!" said Grandma.

The wolf burst through the door! Poor Grandma screamed and jumped out of bed. She ran and hid inside the big wardrobe, shutting the door tight.

The sneaky wolf put on Grandma's nightgown and nightcap. He climbed into her bed and pulled the covers

up to his nose. Then he waited.

Soon, Little Red Riding Hood arrived with her basket and a bouquet of colorful flowers.

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK!

"Come in, my dear!" called the wolf in his squeaky Grandma voice.

Little Red Riding Hood opened the door. The cottage seemed darker than usual. She walked slowly to the bed.

"Grandma, I brought you muffins and... Grandma? You look different!"

"I've been very sick, dear," squeaked the wolf.

Little Red Riding Hood stepped closer. Something felt wrong.

"Grandma, what big ears you have!"

"All the better to hear you with, my dear!"

"Grandma, what big eyes you have!"

"All the better to see you with, my dear!"

Little Red Riding Hood's heart went thump-thump-thump. She stepped even closer.

"Grandma, what big teeth you have!"

"ALL THE BETTER TO EAT YOU WITH!" roared the wolf. He jumped out of bed!

Little Red Riding Hood screamed, "HELP! HELP!"

A woodcutter was walking past the cottage. He heard the screaming and came running with his big, sharp axe.

BAM! He burst through the door!

The wolf saw the woodcutter and his shiny axe. "Oh no!" yelped the wolf. He was so scared that he tripped over Grandma's nightgown and tumbled right out the window—CRASH!—and ran away into the forest. He never came back again!

Little Red Riding Hood opened the wardrobe and out came Grandma, safe and sound!

They all sat down together and ate the delicious muffins with butter and jam. The woodcutter stayed for tea.

"Thank you for saving us!" said Little Red Riding Hood.

"You were very brave," said the woodcutter with a kind smile.

Grandma hugged her tight. "And you, my dear, have learned an important lesson."

"Yes, Grandma," said Little Red Riding Hood. "Always listen to Mama. Never talk to strangers. And always, always stay on the path!"

From that day on, Little Red Riding Hood kept her promise. And whenever she visited Grandma, the kind woodcutter walked with her through the forest to keep her safe.

And they all lived happily ever after.

The End