A
traditional version of Little Red Riding Hood
Once upon a time, there was a little girl who lived
with her mother and father in a cottage at the edge of the woods. Her grandmother,
who lived on the other side of the woods, had made her a beautiful red coat
with a hood. The little girl loved her coat so much that she always wore it
when she went out, and people called her little Red Riding Hood.
One day, her mother packed a basket of food and asked
Little Red Riding Hood to take it to her grandmother who was not feeling very
well. 'And remember, don't stop on the way and don't talk to any strangers,'
her mother warned.
Little Red Riding Hood agreed. She waved to her mother
and started oh her way. The sun was shining, the birds were singing and the
wild flowers were all in bloom. Forgetting her promise, Little Red Riding Hood
picked some for her grandmother, and then sat down on a log to rest.
Before long, a wolf came by. 'And where are you
going?' he asked in a friendly manner.
'I'm taking some food to my grandmother, who is sick
in bed. She lives in a cottage on the other side of the woods,' said Little Red
Riding Hood.
'Enjoy your visit,' said the wolf. 'I must go now, but
1 hope we'll meet again soon.'
The wolf ran to grandmother's cottage and knocked on
the door. 'Who is it?' called Grandmother.
'It's me, Little Red Riding Hood’, said the wolf in a
high‑pitched voice.
'Lift the latch and come inside, dear,' said Grandmother.
The wolf lifted the latch, ran in and gobbled up the
poor old woman. Then he put on her nightcap and jumped into the bed. He pulled
the covers right up to his chin and there he lay, waiting for Little Red Riding
Hood.
At last the little girl arrived and knocked at the
door.
'Who's there? Asked the wolf in a high, hoarse voice.
'Me, Little Red Riding Hood,' she answered.
'Well, come in my dear, said the sly old wolf.
'How are you today, Grandmother?' asked Little Red
Riding Hood, as she walked into the room. 'I've brought you some flowers and
some food. Mother cooked it for you.'
'Oh, thank you my dear,' said the wolf hoarsely. 'Do
come over here and sit beside me.'
As she came nearer, Little Red Riding Hood began to
think that her grandmother looked very strange.
'Grandmother, what big eyes you have', she said.
All the better to see you with, my dear,' said the
wolf.
And, Grandmother, what big ears you have,' she said.
'All the better to hear you with, my dear,' said the
wolf.
'Oh, Grandmother, what long sharp teeth you have, she
said.
'All the better to eat you with, my dear!' And the wolf jumped out of bed and sprang at
Little Red Riding Hood. She screamed with fright.
Now Little Red Riding Hood's father happened to be cutting
wood nearby. He heard his daughter's screams and rushed into the cottage.
With one blow of his axe, he killed the wolf.