Little Redcap (Grimm)
Short summary
A beloved young girl received a red velvet cap from her grandmother and wore it so often that everyone called her Little Redcap.
One day her mother sent her with cake and wine to her sick grandmother who lived in the forest. On the way, she met a wolf who cunningly asked about her destination.
The wolf distracted Little Redcap by suggesting she pick flowers for her grandmother, then rushed to the grandmother's house, devoured her, and disguised himself in her clothes. When Little Redcap arrived, she felt uneasy and noticed strange features about her grandmother.
Oh! grandmother, what big ears you have! The better to hear you with, my child ... Oh! but, grandmother, what a terrible big mouth you have! The better to eat you with!
The wolf swallowed Little Redcap whole. A passing huntsman heard snoring, investigated, and cut open the sleeping wolf's stomach, freeing both Little Redcap and her grandmother. They filled the wolf's body with heavy stones, and when he woke and tried to flee, he collapsed and died. Little Redcap learned never to stray from the path again.
Detailed summary
Division into chapters is editorial.
Little Redcap meets the wolf: deception, danger, and rescue
A beloved little girl lived with her family and was especially cherished by her grandmother, who gave her a red velvet cap that suited her so perfectly she never wore anything else.
Once upon a time there was a dear little girl who was loved by everyone who looked at her, but most of all by her grandmother, and there was nothing that she would not have given to the child.
One day her mother sent Little Redcap to visit her sick grandmother in the woods, giving her cake and wine to help the elderly woman recover.
Her mother warned her to stay on the path and behave properly when visiting grandmother. Little Redcap promised to take great care and set off through the forest. As she entered the woods, she encountered a wolf who greeted her politely.
The innocent girl, unaware of the wolf's wicked nature, told him about her destination and the gifts she carried. Learning where the grandmother lived, the wolf devised a cunning plan to catch both the girl and the old woman.
What a tender young creature! what a nice plump mouthful—she will be better to eat than the old woman. I must act craftily, so as to catch both.
The wolf distracted Little Redcap by pointing out the beautiful flowers and singing birds, suggesting she gather a bouquet for her grandmother. Tempted by this idea, the girl left the safe path and wandered deeper into the forest collecting flowers. Meanwhile, the wolf rushed straight to the grandmother's house, where he impersonated Little Redcap to gain entry.
The weak grandmother, unable to get up, told him to lift the latch. The wolf immediately devoured her, then disguised himself in her clothes and cap before lying in her bed. When Little Redcap finally arrived with her flowers, she found the cottage door open and felt strangely uneasy. Approaching the bed, she noticed how strange her grandmother looked and began questioning the unusual features she observed.
The famous exchange followed - Little Redcap remarked on the big ears, eyes, hands, and finally the terrible big mouth. The wolf replied that each feature was better for hearing, seeing, hugging, and ultimately eating her. With these words, he leaped from the bed and swallowed Little Redcap whole.
After satisfying his appetite, the wolf fell asleep and began snoring loudly. A passing huntsman heard the unusual noise and investigated, discovering the wolf in the grandmother's bed.
Suspecting the wolf might have devoured the grandmother, the huntsman decided against shooting and instead used scissors to cut open the sleeping wolf's stomach. After two cuts, he saw Little Redcap shining inside, and with two more cuts, both the girl and grandmother emerged alive, though the elderly woman could barely breathe. They filled the wolf's body with heavy stones, and when he awoke and tried to flee, the weight caused him to collapse and die. Little Redcap learned her lesson about staying on the path when her mother forbade straying.
The second wolf: Little Redcaps caution and grandmothers trap
The story continued with another encounter when Little Redcap was again taking cakes to her grandmother. A second wolf tried to entice her from the path, but this time she remained cautious and continued straight ahead.
She told her grandmother about meeting the wolf with wicked eyes, and they prepared for his arrival by shutting the door. When the wolf knocked and pretended to be Little Redcap bringing cakes, they remained silent. The frustrated greybeard circled the house and climbed onto the roof, planning to wait until evening to follow Little Redcap home and devour her in darkness.