Little Red Riding Hood

A Girl in a Red Hood

Once upon a time, there was a sweet little girl. She had a red cape with a hood, so everyone called her Little Red Riding Hood.

One morning, her mother said, "Grandma is not well. Please take her this basket of bread and cake."

"I will, Mother!" said Red Riding Hood.

"Stay on the path," said her mother. "Do not stop. And do not talk to strangers."

"I promise," said Red Riding Hood. She put on her red hood and skipped off into the woods.

A Sly Wolf

Deep in the woods, a big wolf was watching. He came out from behind a tree.

"Good morning, little girl," he said with a sly smile. "Where are you going?"

Red Riding Hood forgot what her mother had said. "I am going to Grandma's house," she said. "She lives in the cottage at the end of the path."

"How nice," said the wolf. But inside, he had a wicked plan. "Look at all the pretty flowers," he said. "Why not pick some for Grandma?"

Red Riding Hood stopped to pick flowers. And the wolf ran off, fast, to Grandma's house.

The Wolf in Grandma's Bed

The wolf knocked on Grandma's door. Knock, knock. Quick as a wink, he popped Grandma safely into the closet. Then he put on her cap and climbed into her bed.

Soon, Red Riding Hood arrived. She came inside. But Grandma looked very strange.

"Grandma, what big ears you have!"

"All the better to hear you with, my dear."

"Grandma, what big eyes you have!"

"All the better to see you with, my dear."

"Grandma, what big teeth you have!"

"All the better to —" But just then, a woodcutter walked past the open window. He had a sharp eye, and he saw it was a wolf in the bed!

Saved at Last

The woodcutter rushed in with a loud shout. The wolf was so scared that he jumped out of bed and ran out the door, away into the woods. He never came back.

The woodcutter opened the closet, and out came Grandma, safe and sound. She gave Red Riding Hood a big hug.

"I am sorry," said Red Riding Hood. "I left the path and talked to a stranger. Next time, I will listen."

They all sat down and shared the bread and cake. And from that day on, Little Red Riding Hood always stayed on the path.

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The moral: Listen to the people who love you, and be careful with strangers.

Want more read-along tales? Try The Lion and the Mouse or Goldilocks and the Three Bears next.