Little Red Riding Hood
Follow the adventures of the little girl who met a wolf in the forest. This richly illustrated series of retold fairy tales for children aged 5-12 years old will bring an extra dimension to your English teaching. With listening, speaking, reading, writing, and drama activities, Classic Tales graded readers make it easy for you to create complete language lessons around a popular and engaging traditional tale.
Story Summary
Little Red Riding Hood's Life
Little Red Riding Hood was a kind girl who lived in a small white house near a forest with her loving parents. Her grandmother, who adored her, lived alone in an old house deep in the woods. The girl frequently visited her grandmother, showing their close bond. One Christmas, her grandmother gave her a beautiful red cloak with a hood, which she loved so much that she wore it constantly. This special gift earned her the nickname "Little Red Riding Hood" from everyone in the village. The red cloak became her signature item, making her easily recognizable in the forest paths she often traveled.
The Dangerous Mission
One day, Little Red Riding Hood's mother gave her an important task: to take a basket of bread and butter to her sick grandmother. Her mother gave strict instructions to go straight to grandmother's house without stopping or leaving the path. The girl promised to obey and set off into the forest. This simple errand would turn dangerous when she encountered a hungry wolf along the way. Despite her mother's warnings, Little Red Riding Hood's innocence and kindness would soon put both her and her grandmother in grave danger, showing how even small decisions can have big consequences in the forest.
The Wolf's Cunning Plan
The wolf, pretending to be friendly, learned from Little Red Riding Hood where her grandmother lived. Seeing an opportunity for two meals, he tricked the girl into leaving the path to pick flowers, giving him time to reach the grandmother's house first. The wolf's manipulation showed his intelligence and cruelty. At the house, he impersonated Little Red Riding Hood to gain entry, then quickly ate the helpless grandmother. He dressed in her clothes and waited in bed for the girl, demonstrating patience in his evil plan. This part of the story highlights how predators use deception to exploit the trusting nature of their victims.
The Terrifying Discovery
When Little Red Riding Hood finally arrived, she noticed strange things about her "grandmother" - enormous eyes, ears, nose, and teeth. The famous dialogue revealed the wolf's true nature as he explained each feature: eyes to see her, ears to hear her, nose to smell her, and teeth to eat her. The moment of realization was terrifying as the wolf jumped from the bed and swallowed the girl whole. This scene creates strong tension as the wolf's disguise fails and his true violent nature emerges. The story reaches its darkest point here, with both grandmother and Little Red Riding Hood inside the wolf's stomach.
The Happy Rescue
Luckily, Little Red Riding Hood's father arrived, heard the wolf's loud snoring, and investigated. He quickly killed the sleeping wolf with his knife. When he cut open the wolf's stomach, both Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother emerged unharmed. The family was reunited, and they celebrated with tea and bread. The story ends with Little Red Riding Hood learning an important lesson about obeying her mother and avoiding strangers. She promised never to leave the forest path or talk to wolves again. This happy ending shows how courage and quick action can overcome evil, while teaching children valuable safety lessons.
Story Vocabulary Quiz
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Story Quiz
Sue Arengo
A Storyteller for Young Learners of English
Sue Arengo is a British author who writes wonderful stories for children learning English. She has worked with Oxford University Press for over 20 years, creating books that are fun and easy to read. Many of her books are part of graded reader series like Classic Tales, Dominoes, and Oxford Bookworms.
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