Little Red Riding Hood

One lovely spring day, Little Red Riding Hood set out to visit her grandmother who lived in the woods.
"Good morning, Robin Red Breast!" she said to the little bird. "I'm going to visit my sick Grandma. I have freshly baked cookies and medicine for her in my basket. Oh! Mother told me to go straight to Grandma's house and not to talk to any strangers. I'm not supposed to stop along the way or stray from the path," she said. And she hurried through the woods. Seeing the beautiful wild flowers growing along the mossy path, Little Red Riding Hood thought, "These beautiful flowers will surely make Grandma feel better."

So she left the path to pick a bouquet.

Suddenly, Little Red Riding Hood heard a twig snap! She turned quickly and came face with a Wolf. With a snarl, the Wolf asked, "Is there something in your basket for me, little girl?"
Startled, Little Red Riding Hood replied, "I'm sorry, Wolf. This basket has only cookies and medicine for my sick Grandma. I should not be talking to you. I must reach my Grandma's home as soon as possible."

She gathered her things and hurried down the path. She didn't even turn back to look at the scary Wolf.

Little Red Riding Hood did not know that the cunning Wolf knew a shortcut to her Grandma's house. The Wolf quickly ran through the woods and reach there much before the Little Red Riding Hood. He chased the Grandma into the closet and locked the door.
"That sick old woman is nothing but bones, and I'm very hungry," the Wolf said to himself.
"I'll dress up like Grandma and wait for Little Red Riding Hood to arrive," he thought. "If I pull this quilt right up beneath my chin, I'm sure she'll believe that I'm her sick Grandmother. When she comes to the bedside to give her poor Grandma a kiss, I'll gobble her up with one ferocious bite."

When Little Red Riding Hood knocked at the cottage door, the Wolf croaked, "Come in, Darling!"
Little Red Riding Hood entered the cottage, but she stopped abruptly when she saw her Grandmother.
"Grandma," she said softly, "you look much sicker than I expected. Maybe these freshly baked cookies and a dose of medicine will help."
The sly Wolf licked his lips. "Thank you dear," he said in a rough voice.
"With that hoarse voice, you must have a sore throat," said Little Red Riding Hood, "and with all these blankets, you must be feeling hot!"

She stepped closer and gasped, "Why, Grandma! What big eyes you have!"
"All the better to see you with, my dear," hissed the Wolf.
"What a big nose you have! And what large , sharp teeth!"
"All the better to eat you with, my dear!" growled the wicked Wolf, and he sprang out of bed, chasing Little Red Riding Hood around the room.

A woodcutter who had chopping wood nearby, heard Little Red Riding Hood's screams. He ran to the cottage and pushed open the door. "Don't you dare touch that child!" the woodcutter shouted, widely waving his axe as he chased the Wolf.

The Wolf was frightened. He fled deep into the forest never to be seen again. 

Little Red Riding Hood happily cried, "Thank you for saving me! But I'm afraid that the Wolf has harmed my Grandma."

Just then, they heard a pounding from inside the closet.

The woodcutter broke the lock and opened the door. Standing there, looking rather confused and tired, was Little Red Riding Hood's Grandmother. The woodcutter helped her out of the closet.

"You're safe!" Little Red Riding Hood squealed. "We're grateful for your help," Grandma said to the woodcutter, as she hugged Little Red Riding Hood. 

Little Red Riding Hood spent the afternoon with her Grandma. They sipped tea and ate cookies. Grandma felt much better.

"My dear child, a visit from you is the best medicine for me," said Grandma. 

As the Sun set, Little Red Riding Hood kissed her Grandmother goodbye, and ran home as fast as she could.

At home, Little Red Riding Hood cuddled up in her mother's arms. She told her mother about the adventures with the Wolf and the brave woodcutter.

"I feel so safe in your arms, Mother," said the sleepy child. "I promise II'll never stray from the path again. And never will I speak to strangers.

The End