Little Red Riding Hood

　　Once upon time, there was a young girl. Everyday, she wore a red cloak and would ride her horse into town, which gave her the nickname, “Little Red Riding Hood”. She was walking alone on a dirt road with a small basket full of food and wine for her grandmother. While she was walking, the notorious wolf that the people in her town feared came across her path.

“Good day, young lady.” He said, with a toothy grin.

“Good day, Mr. Wolf.” Said the girl.

“Where are you headed on such a fine day?” He asked

“To my Grandmother’s cottage. She lives down the road. Her cottage has all the pretty roses and tulips surrounding it.”

“And what my I ask is in your basket?” The wolf asked, sniffing the basket.

“Just some food and some wine to make her feel better. Nothing really special.”

“Hmm. This girl looks delicious.  She’s so plump and so round. I must have her to eat. And maybe, I could eat her Grandmother too.” He thought to himself. “ I must distract her to make my get away.” The wolf smiled and walked over to Little Red. “ How would like to pick some of the flowers for your granny to make her feel better?”

“I think that’s a great idea, Mr. Wolf. I think Granny would like it. Her cottage always smells of roses and tulips.” She said, spotting some flowers and started to pick them.

“I have to go now. But before I leave, I’d suggest taking the road with the river beside it. It’ll get you there quicker than this road. We’ll meet again soon. Good bye, little girl.” The wolf said as he departed.

The girl didn’t look up from her task. “Good bye, Mr. Wolf.”

The wolf quickly walked down the road. Once he got to the cottage, he knocked on the door.

“Who is it?” asked the Grandmother.

The wolf cleared his throat.

“It’s me, Little Red Riding Hood.” Said the wolf, trying his best to sound like Little Red Riding Hood herself.

“Come on in, Dearie.  The door is unlocked.”

The wolf stepped inside the house. The grandmother shrieked in horror, then the wolf swallowed the poor woman whole. The wolf’s stomach bulged out. He let out a big belch. When he did, there was a muffled “Help!” coming from inside him. He then put on the old woman’s spare nightgown, nightcap, and glasses, settled into bed, put the covers up to his nose, and waited for his next meal to arrive.  Meanwhile on the dirt road next to the river,
Little Red met a huntsman.

“Good day, Mr. Huntsman.”

“Good day, Little Red. Where are you off to?” He asked

“I’m on my way to my Grandmother’s cottage. She’s ill and I thought it’d be nice to bring her some treats to make her feel better.”

“That’s nice of you. But, beware the wolf, Dear Red.” He warned.

“I will. I promise.”

“Now, you best be on your merry way. You wouldn’t want to keep your Granny waiting would you?”

Little Red shook her head. “No, she wouldn’t like that at all.”

“That’s a good girl.” He said, patting her head. “Goodbye, Little Red. Oh, and tell your Granny I’ll stop by later to check up on her.”

“I will. Goodbye.” She said, walking away. As she walked on the path, she started thinking as she neared her Grandmother’s cottage. “This shortcut was longer than the wolf said.

Well, no matter. I’m near her house.”

When she was near the house, she knocked on the door. The wolf was inside, waiting.

“Grandmother, it’s me, Little Red. May I come in?”

“Of course, dear. The door’s open.” The wolf said, imitating the old woman’s voice as best he could.

Little Red opened the door. In the room, she found her “grandmother” in bed.

“Hello Grandmother.” She gasped as she saw her “grandmother” in bed. “Grandmother, you don’t look so well. Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, Dearie. Come closer so I can see you.”

Little Red moved closer to the bed. When she got close enough, she noticed something very strange.

“Grandmother, what big eyes you have.”

“The better to see you with, my dear.” He said as he held the blanket up to his nose

“Grandmother, what big hands you have.”

“The better to hug you with, my dear.” He said, as he put the blankets down and smiled an evil smile.

Little Red drew back in fear. She now realized this wasn’t her dear Granny.

“Oh Grandmother, what a big, wet, terrible mouth you have!” he exclaimed.

“The better to eat you with, my dear!” He exclaimed as he jumped up on the bed and lunged at Little Red, swallowing her whole.

With his appetite appeased, the wolf waddled back to bed, and slept soundly with a full stomach.  While the wolf napped, the woodsman was walking toward the cottage. The wolf was snoring loudly.

“That granny has a mighty snore. I wonder where Red is. She’s probably making something for her sick granny to eat.”
Then, a loud burp came from inside the cottage.

“Or she has been eaten!” He said before rushing into the house.
He found the bloated wolf in bed. He quickly looked for scissors around the house. When he did, he started cutting open the wolf’s stomach. Out popped Little Red and Granny. Granny was enraged.

“Kill the devil!” She exclaimed. “Cut his evil head off!”

“Granny!” Exclaimed Red. She’d never seen her grandmother this upset by anything.

“Quiet, child.” She snapped. “This wolf needs to be destroyed. How would you like a wolf-skin coat?” asked Granny.

“I would love it, Grandmother.” Replied Little Red

“I’ll kill the beast for you.” Said the Huntsman.

And with one might blow with his ax, the wolf was dead. After that, Granny, Little Red, and the Huntsman, skinned the wolf. They later sat down at the kitchen table and enjoyed the food Little Red had bought.  A week later, Little Red was walking down the dirt road again. Only this time, it wasn’t her red cape and hood. It was a beautiful wolf-skin coat.