16th Dec 2024
Once upon a time, there lived a dear girl named Little Red Riding Hood. "Good morning, Little Red!" her mother called out. "You have a special delivery today for your ailing grandmother!" Little Red Riding Hood smiled, happy to help. She grabbed the basket filled with cake and wine, ready for her journey into the woods.
"Stay on the path, my dear!" her mother warned, as the sun began to rise. "Don’t talk to strangers and keep your eyes on the road!" Little Red Riding Hood nodded, her red velvet cape fluttering in the breeze. "I promise, Mama!" she replied eagerly, waving goodbye. Off she went, excitement bubbling inside her like a warm cup of tea.
As she entered the forest, she heard a rustling in the bushes. A clever wolf stepped out, grinning. "Why, hello there! Where are you off to, Little Red Riding Hood?" he asked slyly. Little Red Riding Hood looked up, unfazed. "I’m going to visit my grandmother who lives deep in the woods," she answered cheerfully, not sensing the trap ahead.
"How thoughtful! What do you carry in your basket?" teased the wolf. Little Red Riding Hood appeared proud, replying, "Just some cake and wine to make her feel better!" The wolf’s mind raced; the girl would be a perfect meal! He thought, ‘I must get there before she does!'
"Oh, look at those beautiful flowers!" the wolf exclaimed, pointing to a patch of colorful blossoms. "Why don’t you pick some for your dear grandmother?" Little Red Riding Hood, intrigued, stepped off the path. "You're right! She would love a fresh bouquet!" And off she went, chasing after flowers, unaware of the danger lurking behind her.
Quickly, the wolf dashed ahead to reach the grandmother’s cottage. He knocked on the door, his heart pounding. "Who is it?" called out the grandmother. "It’s Little Red Riding Hood!" the wolf smiled, disguising his voice. "I’ve brought you some treats!" The grandmother, weak from illness, weakly replied, "Lift the latch, dear!" The wolf opened the door and leaped inside to gobble her up, putting on her clothes.
Little Red Riding Hood, with a lovely bouquet in hand, finally arrived at her grandmother’s cottage. "Grandma, I’m here!" she shouted, noticing the door wide open. Stepping inside, she felt a strange chill. "Grandma, are you there?" she called, her heart racing as she approached the bed.
As she peeked behind the curtains, Little Red Riding Hood gasped. "Oh, my! What big ears you have!" she exclaimed. The wolf, feigning sleep, replied, "All the better to hear you with, my dear!" But Little Red wasn’t fooled. "What big eyes you have!" she said again. "All the better to see you with!" came the answer. Confronted and confused, she asked, "What big teeth you have!"
The wolf, unable to hold back his true nature, growled, "All the better to eat you with!" Suddenly, he lunged at Little Red Riding Hood! Just then, a loud banging echoed through the door as a brave huntsman burst into the room, pointing his gun at the wolf, "Get away from her!" The wolf, surprised, stumbled backward and fell. He looked to escape, but it was too late!
The huntsman, with scissors in hand, sliced open the wolf’s belly. Little Red Riding Hood emerged, gasping! "Oh, what an adventure!" she exclaimed. The grandmother, who had been swallowed too, slowly climbed out. "Thank you, dear huntsman!" she said, relieved. All three celebrated the victory over the wicked wolf, learning to be cautious and together, they felt stronger than ever before.