Short story about little red riding hood


The story of Little Red Riding Hood

[en español]

by Leanne Guenther

Once upon a time, there was a little girl who lived in a village near the forest.  Whenever she went out, the little girl wore a red riding cloak, so everyone in the village called her Little Red Riding Hood.

One morning, Little Red Riding Hood asked her mother if she could go to visit her grandmother as it had been awhile since they'd seen each other.

"That's a good idea," her mother said.  So they packed a nice basket for Little Red Riding Hood to take to her grandmother.

When the basket was ready, the little girl put on her red cloak and kissed her mother goodbye.

"Remember, go straight to Grandma's house," her mother cautioned.  "Don't dawdle along the way and please don't talk to strangers!  The woods are dangerous. "

"Don't worry, mommy," said Little Red Riding Hood, "I'll be careful."

But when Little Red Riding Hood noticed some lovely flowers in the woods, she forgot her promise to her mother.  She picked a few, watched the butterflies flit about for awhile, listened to the frogs croaking and then picked a few more. 

Little Red Riding Hood was enjoying the warm summer day so much, that she didn't notice a dark shadow approaching out of the forest behind her...

Suddenly, the wolf appeared beside her.

"What are you doing out here, little girl?" the wolf asked in a voice as friendly as he could muster.

"I'm on my way to see my Grandma who lives through the forest, near the brook,"  Little Red Riding Hood replied.

Then she realized how late she was and quickly excused herself, rushing down the path to her Grandma's house. 

The wolf, in the meantime, took a shortcut. ..

The wolf, a little out of breath from running, arrived at Grandma's and knocked lightly at the door.

"Oh thank goodness dear!  Come in, come in!  I was worried sick that something had happened to you in the forest," said Grandma thinking that the knock was her granddaughter.

The wolf let himself in.  Poor Granny did not have time to say another word, before the wolf gobbled her up!

The wolf let out a satisfied burp, and then poked through Granny's wardrobe to find a nightgown that he liked.  He added a frilly sleeping cap, and for good measure, dabbed some of Granny's perfume behind his pointy ears.

A few minutes later, Red Riding Hood knocked on the door.  The wolf jumped into bed and pulled the covers over his nose.  "Who is it?" he called in a cackly voice.

"It's me, Little Red Riding Hood."

"Oh how lovely!  Do come in, my dear," croaked the wolf.

When Little Red Riding Hood entered the little cottage, she could scarcely recognize her Grandmother.

"Grandmother!  Your voice sounds so odd.  Is something the matter?" she asked.

"Oh, I just have touch of a cold," squeaked the wolf adding a cough at the end to prove the point.

"But Grandmother!  What big ears you have," said Little Red Riding Hood as she edged closer to the bed.

"The better to hear you with, my dear," replied the wolf.

"But Grandmother!  What big eyes you have," said Little Red Riding Hood.

"The better to see you with, my dear," replied the wolf.

"But Grandmother!  What big teeth you have," said Little Red Riding Hood her voice quivering slightly.

"The better to eat you with, my dear," roared the wolf and he leapt out of the bed and began to chase the little girl.

Almost too late, Little Red Riding Hood realized that the person in the bed was not her Grandmother, but a hungry wolf.

She ran across the room and through the door, shouting, "Help!  Wolf!" as loudly as she could.

A woodsman who was chopping logs nearby heard her cry and ran towards the cottage as fast as he could.

He grabbed the wolf and made him spit out the poor Grandmother who was a bit frazzled by the whole experience, but still in one piece."Oh Grandma, I was so scared!"  sobbed Little Red Riding Hood, "I'll never speak to strangers or dawdle in the forest again."

"There, there, child.  You've learned an important lesson.  Thank goodness you shouted loud enough for this kind woodsman to hear you!"

The woodsman knocked out the wolf and carried him deep into the forest where he wouldn't bother people any longer.

Little Red Riding Hood and her Grandmother had a nice lunch and a long chat.

 

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The Short Story of Little Red Riding Hood

Posted in Charles Perrault Stories, Fortnightly Fairy Tales, French Fairy Tales, Little Red Riding Hood, Little Red Riding Hood Stories, Story Time

The short story Little Red Riding Hood is one of the world’s best-known fairy tales. It is a folktale of European origin and there are many other variants from around the world. The Brothers Grimm collected the tale in their Children’s and Household Tales and there exists a much more sinister Italian version named La Finta Nonna (‘The False Grandmother’).  However, most scholars date Charles Perrault’s Le Petit Chaperon Rouge (1697) as the first ‘fixed’ version of the tale.

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by Charles Perrault


Once upon a time, there lived in a certain village, a little country girl, the prettiest creature was ever seen. Her mother was excessively fond of her; and her grand-mother doted on her much more. This good woman got made for her a little red riding-hood; which became the girl so extremely well, that every body called her Little Red Riding-Hood.

One day, her mother, having made some girdle-cakes, said to her:

“Go, my dear, and see how thy grand-mamma does, for I hear she has been very ill, carry her a girdle-cake, and this little pot of butter.

The Big Book of Fairy Tales – Illustrated by Charles Robinson

Little Red Riding-Hood set out immediately to go to her grand-mother, who lived in another village. As she was going thro’ the wood, she met with Gaffer Wolf, who had a very great mind to eat her up, but he durst not, because of some faggot-makers hard by in the forest.

He asked her whither she was going. The poor child, who did not know that it was dangerous to stay and hear a Wolf talk, said to him:

“I am going to see my grand-mamma, and carry her a girdle-cake, and a little pot of butter, from my mamma.”

My Book of Favourite Fairy Tales – Illustrated by Jennie Harbour

“Does she live far off?” said the Wolf.

“Oh! ay,” answered Little Red Riding-Hood, “it is beyond that mill you see there, at the first house in the village.”

“Well,” said the Wolf, “and I’ll go and see her too: I’ll go this way, and you go that, and we shall see who will be there soonest.”

The Wolf began to run as fast as he could, taking the nearest way; and the little girl went by that farthest about, diverting herself in gathering nuts, running after butterflies, and making nosegays of such little flowers as she met with. The Wolf was not long before he got to the old woman’s house: he knocked at the door, tap, tap.

“Who’s there?”

“Your grand-child, Little Red Riding-Hood,” replied the Wolf, counterfeiting her voice, “who has brought you a girdle-cake, and a little pot of butter, sent you by mamma.”

The good grand-mother, who was in bed, because she found herself somewhat ill, cry’d out:

The Fairy Tales of Charles Perrault – Illustrated by Harry Clarke

“Pull the peg, and the bolt will fall.”

The Wolf pull’d the peg, and the door opened, and then presently he fell upon the good woman, and ate her up in a moment; for it was above three days that he had not touched a bit. He then shut the door, and went into the grand-mother’s bed, expecting Little Red Riding-Hood, who came some time afterwards, and knock’d at the door, tap, tap.

“Who’s there?”

Little Red Riding-Hood, hearing the big voice of the Wolf, was at first afraid; but believing her grand-mother had got a cold, and was hoarse, answered:

“‘Tis your grand-child, Little Red Riding-Hood, who has brought you a girdle-cake, and a little pot of butter, mamma sends you.

The Wolf cried out to her, softening his voice as much as he could, “Pull the peg, and the bolt will fall.”

Little Red Riding-Hood pulled the peg, and the door opened. The Wolf seeing her come in, said to her, hiding himself under the bedclothes:

The Now A Days Fairy Book – Illustrated by Jessie Willcox Smith

“Put the cake, and the little pot of butter upon the bread-bin, and come and lye down with me.”

Little Red Riding-Hood undressed herself, and went into bed; where, being greatly amazed to see how her grand-mother looked in her night-clothes, she said to her:

“Grand-mamma, what great arms you have got!”

“That is the better to hug thee, my dear.”

“Grand-mamma, what great legs you have got!”

“That is to run the better, my child.”

“Grand-mamma, what great ears you have got!”

“That is to hear the better, my child.”

“Grand-mamma, what great eyes you have got!”

“It is to see the better, my child.”

“Grand-mamma, what great teeth you have got!”

“That is to eat thee up.

And, saying these words, this wicked Wolf fell upon poor Little Red Riding-Hood, and ate her all up.

Grimm’s Fairy Tales, Charles Folkard, 1911.

The Moral

From this short story easy we discern
What conduct all young people ought to learn.
But above all, young, growing misses fair,
Whose orient rosy blooms begin t’appear:
Who, beauties in the fragrant spring of age,
With pretty airs young hearts are apt t’engage.
Ill do they listen to all sorts of tongues,
Since some inchant and lure like Syrens’ songs.
No wonder therefore ’tis, if over-power’d,
So many of them has the Wolf devour’d.
The Wolf, I say, for Wolves too sure there are
Of every sort, and every character.
Some of them mild and gentle-humour’d be,
Of noise and gall, and rancour wholly free;
Who tame, familiar, full of complaisance
Ogle and leer, languish, cajole and glance;
With luring tongues, and language wond’rous sweet,
Follow young ladies as they walk the street,
Ev’n to their very houses, nay, bedside,
And, artful, tho’ their true designs they hide;
Yet ah! these simpering Wolves! Who does not see
Most dangerous of Wolves indeed they be?

Little Red Riding Hood, The Tales of Mother Goose illustrated by D. J. Munro


 

 

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Read the fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood online

The fairy tale of Charles Perrault Little Red Riding Hood is one of the undoubted leaders of fairy tale characters all over the world. The story that happened to the girl is short, but it teaches a lot. The love for Grandmother, fearlessness, kindness of the Riding Hood is put at the ready of the evil of the wolf, who lives alone in the dark forest. The fairy tale is perfect for reading at night, many parents choose this fairy tale as the first fairy tale for their child.

Once upon a time in a village there was a girl of unprecedented beauty: her mother loved her without memory, and her grandmother even more.

Once a grandmother sewed a red hat for her beloved granddaughter, and the girl liked it so much that she did not want to take it off. She went everywhere in her cap, and therefore they began to call her Little Red Riding Hood.

Once a mother has baked pies and says to her daughter:

— Go and visit your grandmother, she is not well. Yes, take her pies and a pot of butter. Look only in the forest, do not stop and do not talk to anyone.

Little Red Riding Hood was an obedient girl, she immediately packed up and went to her grandmother, who lived in another village.

She is walking along a forest path when a wolf meets her. The wolf wanted to eat it, but was afraid, because the sound of woodcutters was heard nearby. So he asks:

— Where are you going, Little Red Riding Hood?

The poor girl forgot that it is dangerous to stop in the forest and talk to wolves, and answers him:

— I am going to my grandmother; I bring her pies and a pot of butter.

— Does your grandmother live far away? the wolf asks.

- Very far away! - answers Little Red Riding Hood: - over there behind that mill that can be seen at the edge of the forest; and there will be the first house as you enter the village.

“You know,” the wolf says to her, “I’ll go and visit your grandmother.” - I will go this way, and you go on that one: let's see which of us will reach faster.

And the wolf rushed with all his might to run along the shortest road, and the girl wandered slowly along the longest. Along the way, she collected bouquets and sang songs.

The wolf ran first to the grandmother's house. Knocked:

- Knock, knock.

Who is there?

- It's me, your granddaughter, Little Red Riding Hood, - answered the wolf in a thin voice: - I brought you pies and a pot of butter.

Grandmother was lying in bed because she was a little unwell, and shouted from there:

— Pull the rope, the door will open by itself.

The wolf pulled the rope, the door opened. He rushed at the old woman and swallowed her at once, because he had not eaten anything for more than three days.

Then he locked the door, lay down in his grandmother's bed and began to wait for Little Red Riding Hood, who after a while reached her grandmother's house and knocked:

— Knock, knock.

- Who's there?

Hearing a rough voice, Little Red Riding Hood was frightened at first, but thinking that apparently her grandmother's voice was hoarse due to illness, she answered:

— It's me, your granddaughter, Little Red Riding Hood, who brought you pies and a pot of butter.

The wolf shouted as soon as he could in a thin voice:

— Pull the rope, the door will open by itself.

Little Red Riding Hood pulled the string, the door opened. When the girl entered, the wolf wrapped himself tightly in a blanket so that she would not recognize him, and said:0003

— Put somewhere a pie and a pot of butter, and go lie down with me, rest after the journey.

Little Red Riding Hood lay down next to her and asked:

— Grandmother, grandmother, why do you have such big hands?

— This, granddaughter, to hug you tighter.

— Grandmother, grandmother, why do you have such big ears?

— This, granddaughter, to hear you better.

— Grandmother, grandmother, why do you have such big eyes?

— This, granddaughter, to see you better.

— Grandmother, grandmother, why do you have such big teeth?

— And this is to eat you!

And with these words, the evil wolf rushed at Little Red Riding Hood and swallowed her. It is good that at that time woodcutters worked in the forest. They heard a noise and ran into the house, where they immediately rushed to the wolf. They freed Little Red Riding Hood and Grandmother. Both were whole and unharmed.

Little Red Riding Hood is one of the most popular fairy tales and not only among the fairy tales of Charles Perrault, but also among the fairy tales of all authors all over the world.

This fairy tale is one of the first stories read to children. A simple and at first glance uncomplicated story of a girl in a red cap, in fact, is a fairy tale with a deep meaning and psychological overtones.

Little Red Riding Hood is a story with a moral and clear conclusions:

  • You can’t do what your mother doesn’t tell you
  • You can’t talk to strangers
  • You can’t go astray
  • You can’t be too trusting

However, Little Red Riding Hood does bad things. At the first meeting with danger, with a wolf, she forgets all the instructions of her mother and begins to talk with the beast. That is why the girl was eaten at the end of the tale. The sad ending turns into a kind and happy ending with the arrival of the hunters, who kill the wolf and free Red and her grandmother.

Do not try to interpret this tale more seriously and look for hidden subtext in it - it will be wrong. The story has a very clear and subtle meaning.

Little Red Riding Hood by Charles Perrault, read online

Once upon a time there was a little girl. Her mother loved her without memory, and her grandmother even more. For her granddaughter's birthday, her grandmother gave her a red cap. Since then, the girl went everywhere in it. Neighbors said the same about her:

— Here comes Little Red Riding Hood!

Once a mother baked a pie and said to her daughter:

— Go, Little Red Riding Hood, to your grandmother, bring her a pie and a pot of butter and find out if she is healthy.

Little Red Riding Hood got ready and went to her grandmother.

She is walking through the forest, and towards her is a gray wolf.

— Where are you going, Little Red Riding Hood? Wolf asks.

— I go to my grandmother and bring her a pie and a pot of butter.

— Does your grandmother live far away?

“Far away,” answers Little Red Riding Hood. - Over there in that village, behind the mill, in the first house from the edge.

— All right, — Wolf says, — I also want to visit your grandmother. I'll go down this road, and you go down that one. Let's see which one of us comes first.

The Wolf said this and ran as fast as he could along the shortest path.

And Little Red Riding Hood went along the longest road. She walked slowly, stopping along the way, picking flowers and collecting them in bouquets. Before she had even reached the mill, the Wolf had already galloped up to her grandmother's house and was knocking on the door: knock-knock!

Who is there? Grandma asks.

- It's me, your granddaughter, Little Red Riding Hood, - the Wolf answers, - I came to visit you, I brought a pie and a pot of butter.

And my grandmother was sick at the time and was in bed. She thought it was really Little Red Riding Hood and called out:

— Pull the string, my child, and the door will open!

The wolf pulled the string and the door opened.

The wolf rushed at the grandmother and swallowed her at once. He was very hungry because he had not eaten anything for three days. Then he closed the door, lay down on his grandmother's bed and began to wait for Little Red Riding Hood.

Soon she came and knocked:
Knock Knock!

Who is there? Wolf asks. And his voice is rough, hoarse.

Little Red Riding Hood was frightened, but then she thought that her grandmother was hoarse from a cold, and answered:

— It's me, your granddaughter. I brought you a pie and a pot of butter!

The wolf cleared his throat and said more subtly:

— Pull the string, my child, the door will open.


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