Once upon a time , in a cottage on the edge of a dark forest , there lived a woodcutter , his wife and their little girl . The little girl always wore a warm , red cape with a hood which her grandmother had made for her , so people called her Little Red Riding Hood . Everyone loved Little Red Riding Hood , especially her grandmother . Early one morning , Little Red Riding Hood ' s mother said to her , " I want you to take this basket of food to your grandmother as she is not very well . I have put butter , eggs , and a freshly baked cake in the basket , so carry it carefully . Go straight there and always keep to the path . And promise me you won ' t talk to any strangers on the way . " Little Red Riding Hood promised . Then she put on her cape and set off for her grandmother ' s house on the other side of the forest . Little Red Riding Hood had not gone very far when she saw some flowers growing a little way from the path . She knew her grandmother loved flowers , so she left the path and went to pick some . Just then , a wolf came by . Little Red Riding Hood did not know that he was a wicked wolf . He was also a very hungry wolf and was going to eat Little Red Riding Hood all up . But first he decided to talk to her for a little while . " Good morning , Little Red Riding Hood , " he said in a silky voice . " Where are you going so early ? "" I ' m taking some food to my grandmother because she is not well , " replied Little Red Riding Hood . " Where does your grandmother live ? " asked the cunning wolf . He was so hungry that he thought he would eat the little girl and her grandmother . " She lives in the house at the end of the path , by the big oak tree , " said Little Red Riding Hood . The wolf walked along beside Little Red Riding Hood for a while , then he said : " Make sure you pick plenty of flowers for your grandmother , my dear . I must be on my way . " And with that he disappeared into the forest . Littli Red Riding Hood continued to pick flowers . Each time she picked one , she saw an even prettier one just a little farther away . And she went deeper and deeper into the forest . Meanwhile , the wolf had gone straight to Grandmother ' s house and knocked on her door . " Who ' s there ? " called Grandmother feebly . " It ' s Little Red Riding Hood , " answered the wolf , making his voice as soft and sweet as he could . " I ' ve brought you a cake and other good things . Open the door and let me in . "" Then lift up the latch and come inside , " called Grandmother , who was very pleased that Little Red Riding Hood had come to visit her . So the wolf lifted up the latch and went in . No sooner was he inside the door than he gobbled Grandmother down whole - without even chewing her ! Then he put on Grandmother ' s shawl and nightcap and got into bed . He pulled the bedclothes up to his chin and waited for Little Red Riding Hood . Soon after , Little Red Riding Hood arrived at her Grandmother ' s house and knocked on the door . " Who ' s there ? " called the wolf in a trembly voice , trying to sound like Little Red Riding Hood ' s grandmother . " It ' s Little Red Riding Hood , Grandmother . I ' ve brought you some presents , " said the little girl . " Then lift up the latch and come right in , " called the wolf . Little Red Riding Hood walked in . There was her grandmother in bed . But how strange she looked ! " Grnadmother , " exclaimed Little Red Riding Hood , " what big ears you have ! "" All the better to hear you with , my dear , " said the wolf . " Grandmother , what big eyes you have ! "" All the better to see you with , my dear . "" And Grandmother , what big teeth you have ! "" All the better to eat you with , " growled the wolf and he sprang out of bed to gobble her up . But Little Red Riding Hood just managed to dodge out of his reach . " Help , Help ! " Little Red Riding Hood screamed , as loudly as she could . Now it happened that Little Red Riding Hood ' s father was nearby chopping wood . He heard the call for help and rushed to the rescue . He heard the call for help and rushed to the rescue . He burst into the house and saw the wolf . In an instant , he cut off the wolf ' s head with his ax . Out came Grandmother , looking a little bit shaky , but otherwise unhurt . Little Red Riding Hood gugged and kissed her with joy at seeing her alive againg . Then she hugged and kissed her father . Grandmother was soon quite well again . As for Little Red Riding Hood , she went through the woods to visit her grandmother , and she was always particularly careful not to talk to any strangers . - End -