小红帽 Little Red Riding Hood

Little Red Riding Hood is a European fairy tale about a young girl and a Big Bad Wolf. The story has been told differently across countries for hundreds of years.

The Story:

Once upon a time, there was a sweet little girl who lived in a village near the forest. Everyone loved her, but her grandmother loved her most of all. She made the little girl a red velvet hooded cloak to keep her warm. After that, everyone called her Little Red Riding Hood.

One day, her mother was making fresh bread and strawberry jam for Grandmother, who was sick in bed.

"Little Red," said Mother, "Please take this basket of bread and jam to your grandmother. She's not feeling well and it will cheer her up. But be careful! Stay on the path through the woods, and don't stop to talk to strangers. Go straight there and come straight home."

"I will, Mother," promised Little Red, and she left for Grandmother's house, which was deep in the forest.

Halfway through the woods, Little Red met the Big Bad Wolf! She didn't know wolves were dangerous.

"Good morning, Little Red Riding Hood!" said the Wolf in his friendliest voice. "Where are you going with that basket?"

"I'm going to see my grandmother. She's sick, and I'm bringing her fresh bread and jam to make her feel better," she answered politely.

"How lovely! Where does your grandmother live?" asked the Wolf.

"Her house is under three big oak trees by the river," said Little Red. She had forgotten her mother's warning not to talk to strangers.

The Wolf thought to himself: "What a tender young girl! She'll taste much better than the old grandmother. I must trick them both!"

Aloud he said: "You know what, Little Red? The strawberries are ripe right now deep in the forest. Why don't you pick some for your grandmother? She would love fresh strawberries with her bread!"

Little Red thought that was a good idea! She left the path and wandered deeper into the woods to pick strawberries. The longer she looked, the further she went. Each strawberry looked better than the last one.

While Little Red was distracted picking berries, the Wolf ran quickly to Grandmother's house. He knocked on the door.

"Who's there?" called Grandmother weakly from her bed.

"It's me, Little Red Riding Hood! I've brought you bread and jam," said the Wolf, trying to sound like a little girl.

"Just lift the latch and come in, dear," said Grandmother. "I'm too weak to get up."

The Wolf opened the door, jumped on the bed, and ate poor Grandmother in one big gulp! Then he put on Grandmother's nightgown and nightcap, got into her bed, and waited for Little Red.

When Little Red finally arrived, she knocked on the door. "Come in, dear," said the Wolf, in his softest voice.

Little Red went in, walked to the bed, and looked at Grandmother. She looked very strange today!

"Grandmother! What big ears you have!" said Little Red.

"The better to hear you with, my child," answered the Wolf.

"Grandmother! What big eyes you have!" said Little Red.

"The better to see you with, my dear."

"Grandmother! What big teeth you have!" said Little Red.

"THE BETTER TO EAT YOU WITH!" roared the Wolf, and he jumped out of bed and ate Little Red Riding Hood!

After his big meal, the Wolf was very full and very sleepy. He fell asleep in Grandmother's bed and began snoring very loudly.

Just then, a woodsman who was chopping wood nearby walked past the cottage. "My goodness, that old lady sure snores loud!" he thought. "I should check if she needs anything."

He went inside, saw the Wolf asleep on the bed, and guessed what had happened! He took his axe and quickly killed the Wolf. He cut open the Wolf's belly and out jumped Little Red and Grandmother, both alive and well!

They filled the Wolf's belly with heavy stones and sewed it shut. When the Wolf woke up, he was so heavy he couldn't run away. He fell down and died.

Little Red learned her lesson: Never talk to strangers or leave the path! She and Grandmother enjoyed their bread, jam, and strawberries together, and they lived happily ever after.

Discussion: Why do you think Little Red talked to the Wolf even though her mother told her not to? What should you do if a stranger talks to you?