Red

Once upon a time, in a village far, far away, there lived a little girl named Red. She was so named because of her fiery red hair. Red was the most beautiful girl in all the land. 1

One day, Red’s mother received word that Granny was ill. Since Mother was so busy with her chores, she thought it best to send Red with a basket of goodies to visit Granny. The following morning, Mother packed a basket with homemade soup, fresh squeezed juice, and delicious pastries. 2

“Remember, Red, do not talk to anyone along the way. Most certainly do not stray from the path—the woods can be a dangerous place for such a young and beautiful girl,” Mother warned.3

“Yes, Mother,” Red sighed.4

“You may read Granny a book or just sit a while, if you please, but be back before dark,” Mother added.5

“Yes, Mother,” Red replied.6

As Red set off on her journey through the woods, she wondered about the unsavory things that she might encounter. Perhaps bears? Or lions? Or tigers?7

Red gripped the basket tightly and continued along the path. Not too long after, she heard a voice:8

“Hey… hey, little girl, what’s that you’re carrying there? It sure smells tasty.”9

Red didn’t answer, she hurried onward.10

“Little girl, little girl,” the voice seemed to be hurrying onward as well.11

Red was gripping the basket with white knuckles and a pounding heart. The basket was heavy and she could go no faster—or she would risk dropping it and ruining the goodies she was bringing to Granny. 12

“Child! It is rude not to address your elders when you are addressed!”13

The voice was right. Red didn’t want to appear rude and shame her mother’s good name. She slowly turned around. As she stood face-to-face with the wolf, she replied, “Dear sir, I apologize if I’ve seemed rude, but my mother has warned me against talking to strangers.”14

“Your mother is quite right, you never can be too sure who you might get mixed up with in these woods. What have you there?” Wolf inquired.15

“Just a few goodies for my sick granny. Have a look,” she offered.16

Red opened the basket for the stranger.17

“Looks delectable, delectable, indeed. And that soup smells quite delicious!” Wolf said with a grin.18

“Thank you, sir. I do hate to run, but I must get this basket to Granny right away,” Red answered.19

“Where does she live? Perhaps I could walk with you, a young girl such as yourself shouldn’t be alone,” Wolf smiled.20

“That’s not necessary—her cottage is just at the end of this path, but thank you for the offer,” said Red.21

“As you wish, dear child. Have a safe journey,” Wolf said, disappointed.22

Red replied, “Same to you, kind stranger.”23

Wolf thought that if he could beat Red to Granny’s cottage, he could have that whole basket to himself. So he rushed off ahead chuckling all the way, for he knew a shortcut. 24

It was not long before Wolf arrived at Granny’s cottage. The wolf quietly let himself in, but saw no sign of the old woman. He decided to hide in the pantry.25

Soon after, the wolf heard noises coming from the kitchen and he heard voices. It was Red and Granny. They were fetching the goodies from the basket. 26

“It’s now or never,” Wolf thought to himself as he jumped from the pantry.27

“Hand over that basket, old woman,” the wolf howled.28

Wolf grabbed out the soup and slurped it down in one gulp. He washed it down with the juice. Nothing to better finish a meal than delicious pastries! 29

He noticed that neither Granny, nor Red appeared to be afraid of him. That made him uneasy, for he was a very large and very fierce beast. He looked into the stewpot on Granny’s stove, in hopes of finding more soup.30

“Why, Granny, there is no meat in your broth,” the wolf said sheepishly.31

“Not yet,” said Granny licking her chops. 32

Wolf looked at Red and said, “Child, what kind of soup did you say that was?”33

“Wolf soup,” grinned Red.34

“Child, what kind of juice did you say that was?” Wolf cringed.35

“Wolf juice, fresh squeezed,” Red smiled.36

“Child, what kind of pastries did you say those were?” Wolf began to whimper. 37

“Wolf pastries, of course,” Red sneered as she and Granny pounced on their next meal. 38