Red-Cap

Red-Cap thought to herself, “As long as I live, I will never by myself leave the path, to run into the wood, when my mother has forbidden me to do so.”

Household Tales 2003

Red-Cap carried until the great trough was quite full.

Household Tales 2003

But Red-Cap went joyously home, and never did anything to harm any one.

Household Tales 2003

Red-Cap did not know what a wicked creature he was, and was not at all afraid of him.

Household Tales 2003

It is also related that once when Red-Cap was again taking cakes to the old grandmother, another wolf spoke to her, and tried to entice her from the path.

Household Tales 2003

But they did not speak, or open the door, so the grey-beard stole twice or thrice round the house, and at last jumped on the roof, intending to wait until Red-Cap went home in the evening, and then to steal after her and devour her in the darkness.

Household Tales 2003

Once she gave her a little cap of red velvet, which suited her so well that she would never wear anything else; so she was always called “Little Red-Cap.”

Household Tales 2003

Red-Cap, however, was on her guard, and went straight forward on her way, and told her grandmother that she had met the wolf, and that he had said “good-morning” to her, but with such a wicked look in his eyes, that if they had not been on the public road she was certain he would have eaten her up.

Household Tales 2003

In front of the house was a great stone trough, so she said to the child, “Take the pail, Red-Cap; I made some sausages yesterday, so carry the water in which I boiled them to the trough.”

Household Tales 2003

And scarcely had the wolf said this, than with one bound he was out of bed and swallowed up Red-Cap.

Household Tales 2003