Page:Mother goose's fairy tales (1).pdf/2



TALE I. Little Red Riding Hood.

NCE upon a time, there lived in a certain village, a little country girl, the prettiest creature ever was seen. Her mother was excessively fond of her; and her grandmother doated on her much more. This good woman got made for her a little red riding hood, which became the girl so extremely well, that every body called her Little Riding Hood.

One day, her mother having made some custards, said to her, “Go, my dear, and see how thy grand-mamma does, for I hear she has been very ill, carry her a custard and this little pot of butter.” Little Red Riding Hood sets out immediately to go to her grand-mother, who lived in another village. As she was going through the wood, she met with Gaffer Wolf, who had a great mind to eat her up, but he durst not, because of some faggot-makers hard by in the forest. He asked her, whither she was going? The poor child who did not know that it was dangerous to stay, and hear a wolf talk, said, “ I am going to see my grand-mamma, and carry her a custard, and a little pot of butter from my mamma." Does she live far off?” said the wolf. “O! ay,” answered Little Red Riding Hood, it is beyond that mill you see there, at the first house in the village.” “Well, said the wolf, and I’ll go and see her too; I’ll go this way, and go you that, and we shall see who will be there soonest.”

The wolf began to run as fast as he could, taking the nearest way, and the little girl went by that farthest about, diverting herself in gathering nuts