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