Red

They all called her Red, you could tell by her hood

She was kind, obedient, and generally good

It was on that day when the weather was chill

She’d visit her grandma who was feeling quite ill.

She filled up a basket with pastries and drink

Before she could go, her mom told her to think.

“Red, I know you are smart and though you know the way

There are dangers out there so you best not delay

Keep your head in the game while you carry your load

And no matter what, don’t veer off of the road. 

Don’t you talk to no strangers, they might get you in trouble

If you’re scared or not sure, just come home on the double.

Though Red heard what she said, she had heard it before

She was thinking of flowers as she went out the door. 

Flowers that grow off the road would be great

She could give them to Granny and be just a bit late.

Her mom watched her start on the path Red should know

And Red kept on walking, she knew just where to go

For well off the path she would find what she’d need

Those colorful flowers she could pick with much speed. 

But she wasn’t quite careful and a problem arose

She forgot her way back so she stopped and just froze

And who came along just to give her advice

Just a well dressed great wolf and he acted quite nice. 

The wolf’s mind was clear here’s a meal to be had

But maybe there’s more I’ll pretend to be sad

“You seem to be lost, and just where are you going?

With that basket of goodies, I’m sure you are towing.”

Forgetting the warnings that her mother did tell.

She replied, “To my granny’s, who’s not feeling quite well.”

The wolf seemed quite pleased as he managed to say

“I will show you the path, to continue your way.”

But the wolf had a plan and he led her astray

The path that he showed her was a much longer way

For this gave him the time to arrive before Red

And get rid of old granny, and become her instead.

He followed the rules to get through the door

And gobbled up granny till she was no more

Now he swallowed her whole, without even chewing

And waited for Red which would be his undoing.

The wolf dressed as Granny, lying covered in bed

Heard the knock on the door, then little Red said,

“May I come in, I have goodies for you.”

“Oh yes,” said the wolf, “I have something here too.”

Red came quite slowly, for her granny looked strange.

Big eyes and big ears and big teeth, what a change.

So she questioned her granny and was slow to surmise

That this wasn’t her granny, but the wolf in disguise.

The wolf was too quick as he accomplished his goal

By jumping on Red and consuming her whole.

Having eaten them both, he went back to bed

And this story is over, or so it was said. 

But that is a sad way to end – way too gory.

Let us back up and add a bit more to this story.

Red’s mom who was worried, and knew all the dangers

Thought Red would fall prey and listen to strangers. 

Instead of going with Red and giving assistance

She followed behind at a reasonable distance. 

She did not see the wolf or when Red left the trail

But knew something was up and her face turned quite pale.

She made it to granny’s after Red had been eaten

But she saw the wolf sleeping, she would not be beaten.

She took out her scissors from her sewing kit.

And cut the wolf open, till his stomach was split.

And who should jump out from inside where they’d been,

But Granny and Red both alive in their skin.

They all gathered stones, put them in the wolf’s gut

Then mom sewed his stomach till it was quite shut.

They left the wolf there and went out for a spell

When the wolf did wake up he was not feeling well.

His stomach felt bloated and certainly sore.

From then on he would not eat meat anymore.

And thus ends our story, I tell you no lie

They may not end happily, but no one did die.

But stories have morals, which I’m sure you have guessed.

When you’re given instructions, trust that mothers know best.