[LITTLE RED RIDING-HOOD](#contents)
by Unknown · from Favorite Fairy Tales
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Adapted Version
Once there was a little girl. She wore a red cloak. People called her Little Red.
Little Red was a good girl. Her Gran loved her much. Gran made her a red cloak. It had a nice hood. She wore it each day.
Mother spoke one day. "Gran is not well." "Take this food." "Butter, eggs, cake." "Go straight to her house." "Do not talk." She took her basket.
Little Red walked in the woods. A big Wolf saw her. The Wolf wanted to eat her. But men were near. The Wolf did not want to be seen. He just said, "Hello."
"Where are you going?" asked Wolf. Little Red did not know danger. "I go to Gran's," she said. "She is sick. I bring food." "Where does she live?" Wolf asked. "Across the woods," she told him.
"I will walk with you," said Wolf. Little Red felt no fear. "Look at the flowers," Wolf said. "Pick some." Little Red liked flowers. She stopped to pick them. Wolf smiled.
The Wolf ran fast. He knocked. "Who is there?" asked Gran. The Wolf used a soft voice. "It is Little Red." She opened the door. The Wolf went inside. Gran was not there.
The Wolf put on Gran's cap. He got into her bed. He pulled the covers up high. He waited for the girl. He wanted to trick her. He looked like Gran now.
Soon, Little Red came. She knocked on the door. "Come in," said the Wolf. His voice was strange. She pulled the door open. She went to the bed. "Hello, Gran," she said.
"Oh, Gran," she said. "Your voice is deep." "I have a cold." Wolf said. "Gran, your eyes are big." "To see you better," said Wolf. "Your ears are big." "To hear you better," he said. "Your arms are long."
"Gran, your teeth are big!" she cried. Little Red felt scared. The Wolf jumped from bed. "To catch you!" he roared. He tried to get her. He was not Gran. He was the bad Wolf.
Men came inside. They were cutters. They saw the bad Wolf. They had axes. "Stop, Wolf!" they shouted. The Wolf was scared. He ran away. Little Red was safe.
Little Red went home. She told Mother all. She was safe now. She learned a big lesson. Always listen to Mother. Do not talk to strangers. They can be tricky.
Original Story
LITTLE RED RIDING-HOOD
ONCE upon a time there lived a little girl, who was so sweet and pretty and good that everybody loved her. Her old grandmother, who was very fond of her, made her a little red cloak and hood, which suited her so well that everyone called her "Little Red Riding-Hood."
One day, Little Red Riding-Hood's mother told her to take a basket with some butter and eggs and fresh-baked cake to her grandmother, who was ill. The little girl, who was always willing and obliging, ran at once to fetch her red cloak, and, taking her basket, set out on her journey.
On her way she met a wolf, who wished very much to eat her up; but who dared not do so because some wood-cutters were working close by. So he only said:
"Good-morning, Little Red Riding-Hood; where are you off to so early?"
Little Red Riding-Hood, who did not know how dangerous it was to talk to a wolf, replied:
"I am going to see my grandmother, who is ill in bed, to take her some butter and eggs and a fresh-baked cake that my mother has made for her!"
"Where does your grandmother live?" asked the wolf.
"In the little white cottage at the other side of the wood," answered Red Riding-Hood.
"Well," said the wolf, "I am going that way, too. If you will let me, I will walk part of the way with you." So Little Red Riding-Hood, who suspected no harm, set off with the wolf for her companion.
Presently Red Riding-Hood stopped to gather a nosegay of wild flowers for her grandmother, and the wolf, who had thought of a plan to get the little girl for his dinner, said "Good morning," and trotted away.
As soon as he was out of sight, he began to run as fast as he could. In a short time he reached the grandmother's cottage and knocked at the door.
"Who is there?" asked the old grandmother, as she lay in bed.
"It is Little Red Riding-Hood," answered the wolf. "I have brought you some butter and eggs and a fresh-baked cake which mother has made for you."
"Pull the bobbin and the latch will go up," said the old grandmother. So the wolf pulled the bobbin and opened the door, and sprang upon the poor old grandmother and ate her all up in a twinkling.
Then he put on her night-cap and got into bed, and lay down to wait for Red Riding-Hood.
Very soon there came a little soft tap at the door.
"Who is there?" called out the wolf.
"It is Little Red Riding-Hood, grandmother dear. I have brought you some butter and eggs and a fresh-baked cake which mother has made for you."
Then the wolf called out, disguising his voice as much as he could:
"Pull the bobbin and the latch will go up." So Little Red Riding-Hood pulled the bobbin and went inside.
"Good morning, dear grandmother," she said. "How are you feeling today?"
"Very bad indeed, my dear," answered the wolf, trying to hide himself under the bedclothes.
"How strange and hoarse your voice sounds, grandmother," said the little girl.
"I have got a bad cold, my dear," said the wicked wolf.
"Grandmother, what very bright eyes you have!" went on Red Riding-Hood, surprised to see how strange her grandmother looked in her nightclothes.
"The better to see you with, my dear," said the wolf.
"Grandmother, what very big ears you have!"
"The better to hear you with, my child."
"Grandmother, what very long arms you have!"
"The better to hug you with, my dear."
"But, grandmother, what great big teeth you have," said Red Riding-Hood, who was beginning to get frightened.
"The better to eat you with," roared the wolf, suddenly jumping out of bed. He seized hold of poor Little Red Riding-Hood, and was just about to eat her up, when there was a great noise outside, and the door burst open and in rushed the wood-cutters, who had seen the wolf talking to the little girl in the wood, and came to see what mischief he was up to.
They killed the wicked wolf quite dead; and so Little Red Riding-Hood was saved, and ran home to tell her mother all about her terrible adventure.
Story DNA
Moral
Do not talk to strangers, and always obey your parents' instructions for your own safety.
Plot Summary
Little Red Riding-Hood is sent by her mother to deliver food to her ill grandmother. On her way, she encounters a cunning wolf who learns her destination. The wolf races ahead, devours the grandmother, and then disguises himself to trick Little Red Riding-Hood. Upon her arrival, Little Red Riding-Hood notices her 'grandmother's' strange features, culminating in the wolf's reveal and attempted attack. Fortunately, nearby wood-cutters intervene, kill the wolf, and save Little Red Riding-Hood, who then returns home to her mother.
Themes
Emotional Arc
innocence to fear to relief
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This version is a precursor to the Brothers Grimm version, often lacking the huntsman cutting open the wolf to save the grandmother, and focusing more on the cautionary aspect.
Plot Beats (12)
- Little Red Riding-Hood, a beloved girl, is given a red cloak by her grandmother.
- Her mother sends her to take a basket of food to her ill grandmother.
- On her way through the woods, she meets a wolf who refrains from eating her due to nearby wood-cutters.
- The wolf engages her in conversation, learning her destination and grandmother's address.
- The wolf suggests they walk together, then distracts Little Red Riding-Hood by encouraging her to pick flowers.
- The wolf rushes ahead to the grandmother's cottage, tricks the grandmother into letting him in, and eats her.
- The wolf puts on the grandmother's night-cap and gets into bed, waiting for Little Red Riding-Hood.
- Little Red Riding-Hood arrives, enters the cottage, and greets the disguised wolf.
- She notices her 'grandmother's' strange voice, bright eyes, big ears, and long arms.
- She finally questions the 'grandmother's' big teeth, at which point the wolf reveals himself and tries to eat her.
- Wood-cutters, who had been watching the wolf, burst in, kill the wolf, and save Little Red Riding-Hood.
- Little Red Riding-Hood returns home safely to her mother.
Characters
Little Red Riding-Hood
A small, delicate girl of slender build, with a youthful, innocent countenance. Her movements are quick and light, reflecting her energetic and obliging nature.
Attire: A distinctive, bright red cloak with an attached hood, made of a warm, durable fabric like wool, covering a simple, practical European peasant dress, likely made of linen or homespun cotton in muted colors (e.g., cream, grey, or pale blue). She would wear sturdy, comfortable shoes suitable for walking through woods, perhaps leather or wooden clogs.
Wants: To fulfill her mother's request and bring comfort to her ailing grandmother.
Flaw: Extreme naivety and trusting nature, which makes her vulnerable to deception.
She begins as completely naive and trusting, but through her encounter with the wolf, she experiences fear and learns about deception and danger, leading to a loss of innocence.
Sweet, pretty, good, willing, obliging, naive, trusting, observant (eventually).
The Wolf
A large, powerful, and lean grey wolf with muscular limbs and a shaggy coat. His movements are swift and predatory, capable of great speed and stealth.
Attire: None, as a wild animal. When impersonating the Grandmother, he wears a white cotton night-cap.
Wants: To satisfy his hunger by eating Little Red Riding-Hood and her Grandmother.
Flaw: Overconfidence and underestimation of the wood-cutters' presence; his disguise is not perfect.
Remains consistently evil and driven by hunger, ultimately meeting his demise.
Cunning, deceptive, hungry, cruel, opportunistic, impatient.
The Grandmother
A frail, elderly woman, likely thin and weakened by illness, confined to her bed.
Attire: Simple, comfortable nightclothes, such as a white cotton nightgown and a matching night-cap, suitable for an ailing person in bed.
Wants: To recover from her illness and receive comfort from her family.
Flaw: Her physical frailty and trusting nature make her an easy victim.
Remains a static character, serving as a plot device for the wolf's deception and Little Red Riding-Hood's journey.
Kind, loving, trusting (initially), vulnerable.
The Wood-cutters
Strong, sturdy men, likely with muscular builds from their physical labor. Their hands would be calloused and their faces weathered from outdoor work.
Attire: Practical, durable working clothes typical of European peasants or laborers, such as sturdy linen or wool shirts, leather or canvas trousers, and heavy boots. They might wear leather aprons or vests for protection.
Wants: To perform their work, and then to investigate suspicious activity and protect the innocent.
Flaw: Not explicitly stated, but their initial distance from the path allowed the wolf to interact with Red Riding-Hood.
They serve as a deus ex machina, appearing at the critical moment to save Little Red Riding-Hood, remaining static in their role.
Hard-working, observant, protective, brave, decisive.
Little Red Riding-Hood's Mother
A caring adult woman, likely of average build, reflecting a life of household duties.
Attire: Simple, practical European peasant clothing, such as a long linen dress, an apron, and possibly a head covering, in muted, natural colors.
Wants: To care for her ailing mother and ensure her daughter's well-being.
Flaw: Not explicitly shown, but her instruction to her daughter implies a lack of awareness of the specific dangers of the wolf.
A static character who initiates the plot but does not undergo significant change.
Caring, responsible, practical, loving.
Locations
Little Red Riding-Hood's Home
A humble, cozy cottage, likely with a small kitchen where the mother prepares food. The interior would be simple and functional, reflecting a rural European setting.
Mood: Warm, safe, domestic, loving
Little Red Riding-Hood receives instructions from her mother to visit her ill grandmother.
The Wood
A dense, ancient European forest, likely with tall, mature trees creating dappled light and shadows. There are clearings where wildflowers grow, and paths or trails winding through. Wood-cutters are working nearby, indicating a managed but still wild environment.
Mood: Initially pleasant and innocent, becoming subtly ominous and dangerous.
Little Red Riding-Hood encounters the wolf and is tricked into lingering to gather flowers, allowing the wolf to go ahead.
Grandmother's Cottage
A small, white, isolated cottage at the edge of the wood, typical of a rural German setting. It has a simple door with a bobbin latch. The interior features a bedroom with a bed, likely a simple wooden frame with a straw mattress, and basic furnishings. It feels vulnerable and isolated.
Mood: Initially peaceful and quiet, quickly becoming tense, eerie, and terrifying.
The wolf devours the grandmother, then tricks and attempts to devour Little Red Riding-Hood, before being killed by the wood-cutters.