Once upon a time, as all stories start, a little girl lived in a little village. Her mother and grandmother were fond of her, and doted on her for her beauty. In fact, her grandmother had knitted her a red riding-hood, and in a little town where everyone knew each other, Red became her nickname.

While baking one day, Mother baked too much bread. She said to her daughter "My dear, I've heard your grandmother is ill. Why don't you bring her some bread, a small pot of butter, and see how she is?"

Red followed her mothers suggestion, leaving to take the path in the forest, where the village her grandmother lived in was. There were many people walking, as it was sunny and the breeze was cool. One man seemed to divert from his walk, calling to her. Red turned to answer, because she did not realize not to talk to strangers. The man was old, with thick gray hair and a beard, as well as yellow eyes that watched her carefully. He reminded her of the wolves from her picture books, and since she did not know his name, she called him that.

Mr. Wolf asked, "What are you doing, are you walking alone?"

Red thought him a concerned adult, as she never met a mean adult, so she replied. "Yes, but I'm only going to my grandmother's to take her food because she is ill.

"Your grandmothers must be far away, perhaps I should walk with you. After all, there are dangerous animals, who'll gobble a small girl like you up."

"Thank you sir, but I've walked this path many times and have had no trouble before."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. In fact, I should go now," but before Red could leave, Mr. Wolf grabbed her shoulder.

Red asked him to let go, as his grip hurt. Even so he only replied, "Show me you understand where you're going. I would hate to hear you were eaten by a bear, or drowned in a river."

While his continued stare on Red made her uncomfortable, she still thought him a concerned adult, so she did as told.

"My grandma lives in the village down this path, in a brown cabin beside the shop."

Mr. Wolf did not release her immediately. He studied her with his eyes for a second more, before finally saying, "You're smart for your age, I trust you," and let her go.

Red quickly walked away. She was grateful for the concern, though she did not like the idea of staying around Mr. Wolf any longer. A pit in her stomach grew, and tightened, therefore Red decided to take a detour to visit Mr. Lumberjack. Like Mr. Wolf, Red did not know his name. Nonetheless, he was Grandmother's friend, and was nice to her whenever they visited him before.

Mr. Lumberjack was outside, cutting wood, as that was his job. He saw her coming up the road, putting his axe to the side to greet her.

"Hello, Red. Why are you here today? Does your mother need any firewood?"

"No sir, I just want to talk."

"Talk away then, Red."

Red told of her encounter with Mr. Wolf, yet she was never taught how to retell a story. She started in the middle, not explaining that Mr. Wolf was a man. Mr. Lumberjack nodded along, but he did not truly understand. He'd assumed she'd been scared by an actual wolf, or even a big dog. He did not ask questions, therefore it became fact to him.

"Can you walk with me?" Red requested, "in case Mr. Wolf returns?"

Mr. Lumberjack did not think of it as serious, responding "How about, after my day is over, I visit you and your grandmother?"

Red didn't feel any safer with that idea, but he was an adult, he would know best, so she agreed. Mr. Lumberjack went back to work, Red going back to the path.

She walked slowly, slowly, slowly. Mr. Wolf's eyes did not leave her head. Red tried to distract herself on the way, picking flowers, counting the butterflies she passed, but it did not leave. Eventually she reached her grandmother's, knocking on the door.

"Who's there?" Grandmother asked, though her voice was hoarse and scratchy.

"It's Red. I've brought food from Mother."

"Oh, Red, come in."

Red opened the door, going to Grandmother's bedroom. Her grandmother was hidden under the blankets.

"Is it cold? Should I make some tea for you?"

"Why don't you put the food on my stool and lie down with me?"

Red grew uncomfortable with the idea. In spite of that, she knew her grandmother would have no ill will, and she did want a hug. As she lay with Grandmother, she seemed different.

"Grandmother, what great arms you have!" Red exclaimed.

"The better to hug you with." Grandmother replied.

"Grandmother, what great legs you have!"

"The better to run with."

"Grandmother, what deep voice you have!"

"The better to speak with."

"Grandmother, what bright-!" Red froze as a yellow eye peered from under the blanket. "What bright eyes you have..."

"The better to look at you with."

The blanket fell away, Mr. Wolf there with piercing eyes and a wide smile.

"What big teeth you have."

"The better to eat you with."

As Mr. Wolf grabbed Red, Mr. Lumberjack whistled as he worked, and her mother was starting dinner.