Chapter 3

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As Little Red Riding Hood entered the wood, a wolf met her. Red Riding Hood did not know what a wicked creature he was, and was not at all afraid of him.

The shaggy grey wolf trotted next to her on all fours. When he spoke Red Riding Hood was surprised. She had never heard an animal speak before. Then again, she had never met a wolf.

"Good day, Little Red Riding Hood," said he.

"Thank you kindly, wolf.'

'Where are you headed so late in the evening, Little Red Riding Hood?'

'To my grandmother's.'

'What have you got in your apron?'

'Cake and wine; yesterday was baking-day, so poor sick grandmother is to have something good, to make her stronger.'

'Where does your grandmother live, Little Red Riding Hood

'A good quarter of a league farther on in the wood; her cottage stands under the three large oak-trees, the nut-trees are just below; you surely must know it,' replied Little Red Riding Hood.

"Indeed I do," replied the wolf. "Let me take you there. I know a short cut that runs into the forest."

"No thank you wolf."

"But why not? Is it that you are afraid of me and therefore do not trust my judgment?" the wolf inquired.

Red Riding Hood held her head high. "I have been taught very well by my mother and our village to never stray from the path laid out by man. So I must continue to walk quietly and carefully to grandmother's house."

"If you insist then I will accompany you for a short while. A child like yourself should not be walking along alone."

"Ha! I am no longer a child! Just for your knowledge I have reached the age of seventeen. I could take on a husband anytime now."

The wolf smirked. "There are still creatures who inhabit the woods who prey upon those weaker than themselves. So for your protection I will stay close for many things fear a wolf as myself."

She peered into the wolf's yellow eyes which held a glint of something unsettling.

Red Riding Hood turned away. "Do as you wish."

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AN: She lived a sheltered life lol