Little Red-Riding-Hood
A young girl, known for her beauty and affection from her mother and grandmother, is sent to visit her ailing grandmother, bringing cakes and butter. On her way through the woods, she encounters a wolf who, eager to eat her, cleverly inquires about her destination. Unaware of the danger, she reveals her plans. The wolf races ahead to the grandmother's house, deceives her, and consumes her. Disguising himself in the grandmother's bed, he waits for Little Red-Riding-Hood. When she arrives, she notices her "grandmother" looks strange but is misled by the wolf's soft voice. As she comments on the grandmother's unusual features, the wolf responds with increasingly sinister answers. Ultimately, he reveals his true nature, exclaiming that his large mouth is to eat her, and he devours her as well. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of naivety and the importance of heeding warnings about strangers.
By Dinah Mulock · First published 1854 · Genre: Children's literature, Fairy tale, Fantasy · 877 words
First lines
Once there was a little village maiden, the prettiest ever seen. Her mother was foolishly fond of her, and her grandmother likewise. The old woman made for her a little hood, which became the damsel so well, that ever after she went by the name of Little Red-Riding-Hood. One day, when her mother was making cakes, she said, "My child, you shall go and see your grandmother, for I hear she is not well; and you shall take her some of these cakes, and a pot of butter."
What this Textopian page supports
Little Red-Riding-Hood is listed on Textopian as a short story by Dinah Mulock, dated 1854 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Dinah Mulock
- Date: 1854 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's literature, Fairy tale, Fantasy, Horror
- Length: 877 words
- Structure: 1 section, 22 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Little Red-Riding-Hood by Dinah Mulock
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Little Red-Riding-Hood?
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- Where does Children's literature first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Children's literature — The tale of Little Red Riding Hood is a story primarily targeted towards children due to its simplicity, moral lessons, and magical elements.
- Fairy tale — The story of Little Red Riding Hood is a classic European fairy tale, which incorporates magical elements and personified characters such as the big bad wolf, a common element in fairy tales.
- Fantasy — Little Red Riding Hood integrates elements of fantasy, such as talking animals and stylized settings, as part of its narrative.
- Horror — Despite being a children's story, Little Red Riding Hood incorporates themes of deceit and danger, often associated with the horror genre.
Tags
fairy tale · children's literature · wolf · forest · adventure · cautionary tale · innocence · bravery · family · journey · disguise · danger