Little Red Riding Hood: A Future Plans Audiobook

On Friday morning, Little Red Riding Hood is standing by the kitchen table while her mother prepares a small basket for Grandmother. The basket has tea, bread, honey, and a note about the village meeting. Her mother points to the map and says, "You are going to visit Grandmother today. The main path goes through the forest, and the old bridge closes at noon. You should stay on the main path, and you shouldn't stop for strangers."

Little Red puts the map in her pocket. "I'm leaving now, and I'm taking the basket straight to Grandmother's house," she says. "I'll be careful." Her mother smiles, but she adds one more piece of advice: "If anything feels strange, you could call the neighbor, Mr. Reed. He works near the cottage every Friday."

The forest is quiet when Little Red begins her walk. The main path is wide, but a smaller path turns toward a hill with bright flowers. Little Red looks at her watch. If she keeps walking, she is going to arrive before lunch. Then she thinks, "I will pick a few flowers for Grandmother." She steps toward the smaller path, but she remembers her mother's advice and stops.

At the crossing, a polite wolf in a dark coat appears beside the signpost. "Good morning," he says. "Where are you going?" Little Red should not give many details, but she wants to be polite. "I'm visiting my grandmother," she answers. The wolf points to the hill. "You could take that path. It is prettier, and Grandmother will love the flowers." Little Red looks at the map again. The side path might be beautiful, but it is longer.

"Thank you," Little Red says carefully, "but I'm staying on the main path. My grandmother is expecting me at eleven, and the bridge closes at noon." The wolf smiles and walks away quickly. Little Red feels unsure, so she makes a decision. "I'll call Mr. Reed when I get closer to the cottage," she says. "He can check that everything is all right."

When Little Red arrives, the cottage looks different. Grandmother usually opens the curtains in the morning, but today they are closed. A clock by the window says eleven fifteen. Little Red knocks. A strange voice says, "Come in." She does not open the door immediately. Instead, she calls Mr. Reed, who is carrying tools near the garden gate. "Could you wait here with me?" she asks. "Something doesn't feel right."

Mr. Reed listens at the door and says, "You should stand back." He knocks loudly and asks for Grandmother. A minute later, Grandmother answers from the pantry. The wolf has locked her inside and is hiding under a blanket, hoping to trick Little Red. Mr. Reed opens the pantry door, and the wolf runs out through the back door without hurting anyone.

Grandmother hugs Little Red and says, "You made a wise choice. You followed the plan, but you also asked for help when the situation changed." Little Red places the basket on the table. "Next time, I am going to leave earlier," she says. "I will not discuss my plans with strangers, and I should call before I arrive." Grandmother pours tea and smiles. "Tomorrow we are meeting your mother for breakfast," she says. "We can tell her that good advice is useful when someone actually follows it."