Once upon a time, there was a child named Jacob who lived with their mother in a little house in the mountains. Their home was snuggled in the mountainside, with a view of the tall, green pines and the sparkling blue sky. Jacob loved playing in their secret lab in the attic, where they spent hours making exciting inventions! More than anything, though, Jacob loved their grandmother!
Their grandmother had made Jacob a red hood to keep them warm. It was so soft and snuggly, and it made Jacob look even more special, especially with their brown eyes and wavy black hair. Everyone called Jacob “Little Red Riding Hood,” and they loved it!
One day, Jacob’s mother asked them to go to their grandmother’s house in the next valley. “Grandmother is feeling a bit sick,” Jacob’s mother said, “and she needs some extra care.”
“I’ll take the road to get there,” Jacob’s mother explained, “It’s longer, but it’s safer for you.”
Jacob’s mother knew about Jacob’s intelligence. They could think up incredible things, and Jacob always tried to stay safe. Jacob nodded, understanding, and promised to be careful.
Jacob’s mother made a basket full of delicious food for their grandmother. Nothing helps an illness better than a meal made with love! Jacob, or rather, Little Red Riding Hood, left home, their hood covering their head, and the basket in their hands. They promised their mother they would return the next day. Jacob resisted the urge to eat any of the yummy food! They knew they had to take it all to their grandmother.
As soon as Jacob left the house, they met a wolf. The wolf looked mean, but he pretended to be kind. “Where are you going, Little Red Riding Hood?” he asked.
“I’m taking food to my grandmother,” Jacob answered.
The wolf said goodbye and went on his way. Jacob went on their way too. Jacob took the longer, safer path. But Jacob didn’t know that the wolf had taken the forest path, and he was planning to reach their grandmother’s house first! And he did.
The wolf arrived at the grandmother’s house and ate the old lady in one bite! Then, when Jacob arrived, the wolf, wearing the grandmother’s clothes, pretended to be her.
Jacob saw their grandmother and thought something was strange. “Grandmother,” Jacob asked, “why are your eyes so big?”
The wolf, disguised as the grandmother, said, “It’s to see you better, Little Red Riding Hood!”
“Grandmother,” Jacob asked, “why is your nose so big?”
The wolf, pretending to be their grandmother, said, “It’s to smell you better!”
“Grandmother,” Jacob asked, “why is your mouth so big?”
The wolf couldn’t resist any longer. “It’s to taste you better!” the wolf roared, jumping toward Jacob.
Suddenly, a wise old woodsman, who had magical powers, was walking through the forest. The old man heard Jacob in trouble! Before the wolf could eat Little Red Riding Hood, the old man entered the house and saved the child.
The magical woodsman enchanted the wolf, making him tame and gentle, and put him to sleep.
“The wolf ate my grandmother!” Jacob exclaimed.
The woodsman smiled. “No evil can defeat goodness!” he said, waving his hands.
With a flick of his wrist, the woodsman freed the grandmother from the wolf’s belly! Jacob hugged their beloved grandmother tight. Jacob, wearing their red hood that covered their wavy hair, thanked the woodsman and offered him the delicious food their mother had prepared!
That night, Jacob, their grandmother, and the magical woodsman enjoyed the delicious food made by Jacob’s mother.
And doesn’t this story make you hungry?
