THE WOLF and THE FIVE LITTLE GOATS
by Katharine Pyle · from Mother's Nursery Tales
Adapted Version
Mother Goat lived with five kids.
Mother Goat went to forest. "Be careful," she said. "Do not open door. The Wolf is bad." Kids closed door.
The Wolf saw Mother Goat. He came to the house. He knocked. "It is your mother," he said. His voice was rough. Kids said, "Your voice is rough. You are the Wolf!"
The Wolf found butter. He ate it. His voice became soft. He knocked. "It is your mother," he said. Little Kid said, "Show your paws!" Paws were black. "You are the Wolf!"
The Wolf found white dough. He put dough on paws. His paws looked white. He knocked. His voice was soft. Kids saw white paws. "It is our mother!" They opened door.
The Wolf ran inside. He took four kids. He put them in his tummy. The Other Kids were scared. Little Kid hid fast. He hid in the clock-case. The Wolf did not see him.
The Wolf felt full. He felt sleepy. He went outside. He lay under a tree. He slept. He snored.
Mother Goat came home. The door was open. The house was messy. Mother Goat was very worried.
Little Kid came out. He saw Mother Goat. He said, "The Wolf took them!"
Mother Goat went outside. She saw the Wolf sleeping. He snored loudly. Mother Goat had a clever idea. She knew how to get her children out.
She went to the Wolf. She carefully helped her children out. One by one, they came out. The four kids were safe.
The kids found big, heavy stones. Mother Goat put stones inside the Wolf's tummy. Mother Goat made sure Wolf stayed closed.
The Wolf woke up. He felt very heavy. He felt thirsty. He went to the well. He leaned over. The heavy Wolf fell into the well. He could not get out.
Mother Goat and her kids were happy. They danced around the well. They were safe from the Wolf.
So, the little goats learned a big lesson. Always listen to your mother. Do not open the door for strangers. Even if they sound nice. Looks can trick you!
Mother Goat and kids lived happily. They always listened to their mother. They were careful.
Original Story
THE WOLF AND THE FIVE LITTLE GOATS
There was once a mother goat who had five little kids, and these kids were so dear to her that nothing could have been dearer.
One day the mother goat was going to the forest to gather some wood for her fire. “Now, my little kids,” said she, “you must be very careful while I am away. Bar the door behind me, and open it to nobody until I return. If the wicked wolf should get in he would certainly eat you.”
The little kids promised they would be careful, and then their mother started out, and as soon as she had gone they barred the door behind her.
Now it so happened the old wolf was on the watch that day. He saw the mother goat trotting away toward the forest, and as soon as she was out of sight, he crept down to the house and knocked at the door—rap-tap-tap!
“Who is there?” called the little kids within.
“It is I, your mother, my dears,” answered the wolf in his great rough voice. “Open the door and let me in.”
But the kids were very clever little kids. “No, no,” they cried. “You are not our mother. Our mother has a soft, sweet voice, and your voice is harsh and rough. You must be the wolf.”
When the wolf heard this he was very angry. He battered and battered at the door, but they would not let him in. Then he turned and galloped away as fast as he could until he came to a dairy. There he stuck his head in at the window, and the woman had just finished churning her butter.
“Woman, woman,” cried the wolf, “give me some butter. If you do not I will come in and upset your churn.”
The woman was frightened. At once she gave him a great deal of butter—all he could eat.
The wolf swallowed it down, and then he ran back to the goat’s house and knocked at the door—rat-tat-rat!
“Who is there?” asked the little goats within.
“Your mother, my dears,” answered the wolf, and now his voice was very soft and smooth because of the butter he had swallowed.
“It is our mother,” cried the little kids, and they were about to open the door, but the littlest kid of all, who was a very wise little kid, stopped them.
“Wait a bit,” said he. “It sounds like our mother’s voice, but before we open the door we had better be very, very sure it is not the wolf.” Then he called through the door, “Put your paws up on the windowsill.”
The wolf suspected nothing. He put his paws up on the windowsill, and as soon as the little kids saw them they knew at once that it was not their mother. “No, no,” they cried, “you are not our mother. Our mother has pretty white feet, and your feet are as black as soot. You must be the wolf.”
When the wolf heard this he was angrier than ever. He turned and galloped away again, and as he galloped he growled to himself and gnashed his teeth.
Presently he came to a baker’s shop, and there he stuck his head in at the window.
“Baker, baker, give me some dough,” he cried. “If you do not I will upset your pans and spoil your baking.”
The baker was frightened. At once he gave the wolf all the dough he wanted. The wolf seized it and ran away with it. He ran until he came to the goat’s house. There he sat down and covered his black feet all over with the white dough. Then he knocked at the door—rat-tat-tat!
“Who is there?” cried the little goats within.
“Your mother, my dears, come home again,” answered the wolf, in his smooth buttery voice.
“Put your paws up on the windowsill.”
The wolf put his paws up on the windowsill, and they looked quite white because of the dough. Then the little kids felt sure it was their mother, and they gladly opened the door.
“Woof!” In bounded the wicked wolf.
The little goats cried out and away they ran, some in one direction, and some in another. They hid themselves one behind the door, and one in the dough-trough, and one in the wash-tub, and one under the bed, and one (and he was the littlest one of all) hid in the tall clock-case. The wolf stood there glaring about him, and not as much as a tail of one of them could he see.
Then he began to hunt about for them, but he had to be in a hurry, because he was afraid the mother goat would come home again.
He found the kid behind the door, and he was in such a hurry he swallowed it whole without hurting it in the least. He found the one in the wash-tub, and he swallowed it whole, too. He found the one in the dough-trough, and it, too, he swallowed whole. He found the one under the bed and he swallowed it whole. The only one he did not find was the one in the clock-case, and he never thought of looking there. He hunted around and hunted around, and he was afraid to stay any longer for fear their mother would come home.
But now the old wolf felt very heavy and sleepy. He looked around for a place to go in order to lie down and rest.
Not far away were some rocks and trees that made a pleasant shadow. Here the wolf stretched himself out, and presently he was snoring so loudly that the leaves of the trees shook overhead.
Soon after this the mother goat came home. As soon as she saw the door of the house standing open, she knew at once that some misfortune had happened. She went in and looked about her. The furniture was all upset and scattered about the room. “Alas, alas! My dear little kids!” cried the mother. “The wicked wolf has certainly been here and eaten them all.”
“He didn’t eat me,” said a little voice in the clock-case.
The mother goat opened the door of the clock-case and the littlest kid of all hopped out.
“But why were you in the clock-case? And what has happened?” asked the mother.
Then the little kid told her all about how the wolf had come there with his buttery voice and his whitened paws, and how they had let him in, and how he had swallowed all four of the other little kids, so that he alone was left.
After the mother goat had heard the story she went to the door and looked about. Then she heard the old wolf snoring where he lay asleep under the nut-trees in the shade of the rocks.
“That must be the old wolf snoring,” said the mother goat, “and he cannot be far away. Do not make a noise, my little kid, but come with me.”
The mother goat stole over to the heap of rocks, and the little kid followed her on tiptoes. She peeped and peered, and there lay the old wolf so fast asleep that nothing less than an earthquake would have wakened him.
“Now, my little kid,” whispered the mother, “run straight home again as fast as you can, and fetch me my shears and a needle and some stout thread.”
This the little kid did, and he ran so softly over the grass that not even a mouse could have heard him.
As soon as he returned the mother goat crept up to the old wolf, and with the sharp shears she slit his hide up just as though it had been a sack. Out popped one little kid, and out popped another little kid, and another, and another, and there they all were, just as safe and sound as though they had never been swallowed. And all this while the old wolf never stirred nor stopped snoring.
“And now, my little kids,” whispered the mother, “do you each one of you bring me a big round stone, but be very quick and quiet, for your lives depend upon it.”
So the little kids ran away, and hunted around, and each fetched her back a big round stone, and they were very quick and quiet about it, just as their mother had bade them be.
The old goat put the stones inside the wolf, where the little kids had been, and then she drew the hide together and sewed it up, using the stout, strong thread. After that she and the little kids hid themselves behind the rocks, and watched and waited.
Presently the old wolf yawned and opened his eyes. Then he got up and shook himself, and when he did so the stones inside him rattled together so that the goat and the little kids could hear them, where they hid behind the rocks.
“Oh, dear! Oh, dear me!” groaned the wolf;
“What rattles, what rattles against my poor bones?
Not little goats, I fear, but only big stones.”
Now what with the stones inside of him and the hot sun overhead the wolf grew very thirsty. Near by was a deep well, with water almost up to the brink of it. The old wolf went to drink. He leaned over, and all the stones rolled up to his head and upset him. Plump! he went down into the water, and the stones carried him straight to the bottom. He could not swim at all, and so he was drowned.
But all the little kids ran out from behind the rocks and began to dance around the well.
“The old wolf is dead, A-hey! A-hey!
The old wolf is dead, A-hey!”
they sang, and the mother goat came and danced with them, they were all so delighted.
Story DNA
Moral
Listen to your elders and be wary of strangers, for appearances can be deceiving.
Plot Summary
A mother goat warns her five kids to be wary of the wolf while she's away. The cunning wolf attempts to trick the kids by disguising his voice and then his paws. He eventually succeeds, swallows four kids whole, and falls asleep. The mother goat returns, finds the fifth hidden kid, and together they rescue the swallowed children by cutting open the wolf, replacing them with stones. The wolf then drowns in a well due to the weight of the stones, and the family celebrates their safety.
Themes
Emotional Arc
innocence to fear to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This story is a variant of 'The Wolf and the Seven Young Goats' collected by the Brothers Grimm, reflecting common European folk traditions and cautionary tales for children.
Plot Beats (14)
- Mother goat warns her five kids to bar the door and not open it to the wolf while she goes to the forest.
- The wolf, watching, approaches the house and tries to trick the kids with his rough voice, but they refuse.
- The wolf eats butter to soften his voice and tries again, but the littlest kid asks to see his paws, revealing them to be black.
- The wolf covers his paws with dough to make them white and, with his soft voice, successfully tricks the kids into opening the door.
- The wolf bursts in and swallows four of the five kids whole, while the littlest one hides in a clock-case.
- Feeling heavy and sleepy, the wolf goes to sleep under a tree.
- The mother goat returns, finds the door open and house in disarray, and is heartbroken.
- The littlest kid emerges from the clock-case and explains what happened.
- The mother goat finds the snoring wolf, fetches shears, a needle, and thread.
- She cuts open the wolf's belly and rescues her four children, unharmed.
- The kids gather large stones, which the mother goat places inside the wolf's belly and sews him back up.
- The wolf wakes up, feels heavy and thirsty, and goes to drink from a well.
- The weight of the stones causes him to fall into the well and drown.
- The mother goat and all five kids celebrate the wolf's death by dancing around the well.
Characters
Mother Goat ★ protagonist
A sturdy, medium-sized white goat, likely with a practical build for foraging and caring for her young. Her fur is clean and well-kept, indicative of a diligent mother. She has strong legs for navigating the forest.
Attire: None, as she is an animal. Her natural white fur serves as her 'attire'.
Wants: To protect her children and ensure their safety and well-being.
Flaw: Her deep love for her children makes her vulnerable to their potential harm.
She begins as a vigilant mother giving warnings and returns to find her fears realized. She transforms into a cunning rescuer, successfully outsmarting and defeating the wolf, restoring her family.
Protective, clever, resourceful, loving, vigilant.
Image Prompt & Upload
A sturdy adult female goat standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has pristine white fur, intelligent amber eyes, and a small, neat white beard. Her posture is alert and protective. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Wolf ⚔ antagonist
A large, imposing wolf with a lean, hungry build. His fur is coarse and dark, described as having 'black feet'. He is strong enough to batter a door and swallow four kids whole. His eyes are likely predatory and cunning.
Attire: None, as he is an animal. His natural dark fur serves as his 'attire'.
Wants: To eat the little goats and satisfy his hunger.
Flaw: His gluttony and overconfidence lead him to fall asleep and later to drink from the well, ultimately causing his demise.
He begins as a cunning predator, successfully deceiving and consuming four of the kids. His arc ends in his downfall and death due to his gluttony and the Mother Goat's cleverness.
Wicked, cunning, impatient, gluttonous, easily angered, overconfident.
Image Prompt & Upload
A large, lean adult male wolf standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has dark grey, coarse fur, a long pointed snout, and sharp yellow eyes. His front paws are covered in white dough. He has a cunning, slightly triumphant expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Littlest Kid ◆ supporting
The smallest of the five little kids, likely with soft, fluffy white fur and delicate features. He is nimble enough to hide in a clock-case and run quickly.
Attire: None, as he is an animal. His natural white fur serves as his 'attire'.
Wants: To survive and help his mother save his siblings.
Flaw: Being small and vulnerable to the wolf.
He starts as the most cautious and wise of the kids, which saves him from being eaten. He then becomes his mother's crucial assistant in the rescue, demonstrating bravery and obedience.
Wise, cautious, observant, quick-thinking, obedient, brave.
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, young goat kid standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has soft, fluffy white fur, bright amber eyes, and small horns just beginning to sprout. His expression is alert and slightly cautious. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Four Little Kids ○ minor
Four small, fluffy white goat kids, similar in appearance to the Littlest Kid but lacking his exceptional caution. They are nimble enough to hide in various household objects.
Attire: None, as they are animals. Their natural white fur serves as their 'attire'.
Wants: To obey their mother and play safely, then to escape the wolf.
Flaw: Their naivety and lack of caution compared to their youngest sibling, making them susceptible to the wolf's deception.
They begin as trusting and somewhat naive, falling for the wolf's trick. They are swallowed but then miraculously rescued, learning a valuable lesson about vigilance and obedience.
Trusting, playful, easily frightened, obedient (after the fact), joyful.
Image Prompt & Upload
Four small, fluffy white goat kids standing together, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. They have bright amber eyes and soft white fur. Their expressions are a mix of curiosity and slight apprehension. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Dairy Woman ○ minor
A woman who has just finished churning butter, suggesting a sturdy, practical build. Her hands might be strong from her work.
Attire: Practical, simple peasant clothing suitable for dairy work, such as a linen smock or dress, possibly with an apron, in muted colors.
Wants: To avoid harm and protect her churn from the wolf.
Flaw: Easily intimidated.
A static character, serving only to provide the wolf with butter.
Frightened, compliant.
Image Prompt & Upload
A sturdy adult woman standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has a simple, honest face, with light brown hair pulled back in a bun. She wears a cream linen smock and a practical blue apron. Her hands are slightly covered in butter. She stands next to a wooden butter churn. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Baker ○ minor
A man working in a baker's shop, likely with a flour-dusted appearance. His build might be robust from physical labor.
Attire: Practical baker's attire: a white linen shirt, a simple apron, and possibly trousers, all dusted with flour.
Wants: To avoid harm and protect his baking from the wolf.
Flaw: Easily intimidated.
A static character, serving only to provide the wolf with dough.
Frightened, compliant.
Image Prompt & Upload
A robust adult man standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a simple, honest face, with light brown hair dusted with flour. He wears a white linen shirt and a flour-dusted white apron. He holds a ball of raw dough in his hands. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Goat Family's Cottage
A cozy, rustic cottage, likely a simple, single-story dwelling with a sturdy wooden door and a windowsill. Inside, it contains basic furniture like a bed, a wash-tub, a dough-trough, and a tall clock-case, all of which serve as hiding spots. The interior is initially tidy but becomes scattered and upset after the wolf's intrusion.
Mood: Initially safe and warm, then becomes tense and fearful, finally relieved.
The kids are left alone, the wolf attempts to trick them multiple times, and eventually, he breaks in and swallows four of them. Later, the mother goat returns and finds the youngest kid.
Image Prompt & Upload
A rustic, half-timbered German cottage interior, with a heavy wooden door slightly ajar revealing a sunlit, overgrown garden outside. Inside, a tall, dark wood grandfather clock stands prominently in a corner, its brass pendulum visible. A simple wooden bed is against one wall, and a large, round wooden wash-tub sits on the floor near a small, rough-hewn table. Sunlight streams through a small window, illuminating dust motes in the air. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Forest Edge / Rocky Knoll
An area with prominent rocks and trees, specifically nut-trees, providing ample shade. The ground is likely covered in grass, and it's close enough to the goat's house for the mother goat to hear the wolf snoring.
Mood: Initially peaceful and sleepy, then becomes a place of tense, quiet action and eventual triumph.
The wolf, heavy and sleepy after eating the kids, rests and snores here. The mother goat finds him, cuts him open, fills him with stones, and later, the wolf drowns in the nearby well.
Image Prompt & Upload
A sun-drenched, grassy knoll at the edge of a dense deciduous forest, with several large, moss-covered boulders providing deep shadows. Overhead, the canopy of gnarled nut-trees filters golden afternoon light onto the forest floor. Wildflowers dot the short green grass. In the distance, a glimpse of a rustic well with a stone coping is visible. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The Well
A deep well with water almost reaching its brim, located near the rocky knoll where the wolf rests. It is a source of water and ultimately the site of the wolf's demise.
Mood: Initially mundane, then becomes a place of dramatic justice and celebratory relief.
The thirsty wolf leans over to drink, and the stones inside him cause him to fall in and drown. The kids then dance around it in celebration.
Image Prompt & Upload
A weathered stone well with a low, circular coping, its dark water shimmering just below the surface, reflecting the bright afternoon sky. Lush green grass surrounds the well, and a few scattered wildflowers grow at its base. In the background, the soft focus of a sun-dappled forest edge with large rocks is visible. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
