Roberts Lynn - Little Red

Little Red I n a time not too long ago and in a land much like our own, there lived a young boy. His name was Thomas, but for some reason everyone called him Little Red. Little Reds parents owned a cosy inn, and people came from far and wide for a glass of their famous sweet ginger beer. Little Red loved to meet the travellers and hear their tales of dangerous encounters with dashing highwaymen and fearsome wolves. One day Little Red was getting ready to visit his grandma, as he did every week, with a basketful of delicious treats and a weeks supply of ginger beer. Little Red put on his much-loved red coat, picked up his basket, and set off for Grandmas. Little Red put on his much-loved red coat, picked up his basket, and set off for Grandmas.

As always, his mother warned him, Dont you wander off the path, not for any reason. For everyone knew that a ferocious and hungry wolf prowled within the forest and straying from the path would almost certainly mean being eaten! Little Red skipped along the path unaware the wolf was secretly watching him. He would make a tasty snack, the wolf said to himself, drooling at the thought. Suddenly Little Red stopped and called out excitedly, Red apples! Ill have to take some for Grandma. Overhearing this, the wolf thought, So Grandma is waiting for him, is she? Perhaps I can have myself two tasty snacks, instead of just one. Meanwhile, Little Red was trying to reach the apples.

There was a large prickly bush in his way, so to keep his coat from being torn, he took it off and placed it on a nearby rock. This gave the wolf an idea. Grabbing the coat, he charged off at a terrific pace to Grandmas house. Reaching Grandmas front door, the wolf stopped to squeeze himself into Little Reds coat. Then he knocked on the door. Grandma, who was very, very shortsighted, opened the door, saw the red jacket, and said, Come right in, Little Red.

Why dont we have some ginger beer and a big slice of cake? But as soon as her back was turned, the wolf pounced on her, and in one second flat, he had swallowed her whole! Now Ill disguise myself as Grandma and eat the boy for dessert, the wolf howled, marvelling at his brilliant plan. He stepped into one of Grandmas dresses and fixed one of her wigs behind his long furry ears. He closed the drapes tight, sat at Grandmas table and waited eagerly for Little Red. Little Red arrived at Grandmas house out of breath from running. Grandma, he cried, my coat has been stolen! I only left the path for a second, and it disappeared. When Grandma didnt rush out to greet him, Little Red began to worry.

Are you in there? he asked, stepping into the darkened room. Grandma, he said, you look different. Are you feeling unwell? Im fine, dear, said the wolf sweetly. Come closer. Grandma, what big eyes youve got today, said Little Red, sitting down at the table. All the better to see you with, my dear, crooned the wolf.

But what big ears you have, Grandma, Little Red said. All the better to hear you with, my sweet, replied the wolf with a big toothy grin. And, Grandma, what enormous teeth you have! Little Red exclaimed. All the better to eat you with! roared the wolf. What? cried Little Red. Dont eat me! Youre my dessert, growled the wolf.

Grandma was really delicious but not quite enough to fill me up. Youll finish the meal off nicely. Terrified, Little Red looked around frantically for a way out. Then he remembered his basket and had a brilliant idea.