By Reporter A. Carter

There have been rumours in the rumour mill around town about what actually happened to Little Red Riding Hood. Reporter Angela Carter investigated the rumours to find out the gruesome truth. Reporter Carter stated after interviewing local residents, ‘let this story be a warning to all if you see a naked man among the pines, you must run as if the devil were after you.’ One particular eye witness, Bushi (2001) discussed that ‘for, not to run is to succumb to the sexual urge that reduced Little Red Riding Hood to ‘nothing but a fallen woman.’

Reporter Carter has investigated what actually happened in her following report.

Word on the street has depicted Little Red Riding Hood as not the innocent girl next door we used to think. Yes, she may seem like the sweet virginal girl but looks can be deceiving.

On this horrific night, Little Red Riding Hood left her mother’s home with cheeses and liquor for her Granny. She had only one intention some say, but did she? When in the woods she met a fully clothed man. Now virgin though she was Little Red Riding Hood, ‘forgot to be afraid of the beasts for she wanted to dawdle on her way to make sure the handsome gentleman would win his wager,’ thus being a kiss. Could it have been sexual desire, not duty that led her to her Granny’s house?

Once inside it has been rumoured to be said, that Little Red Riding Hood did inquire about her Granny whilst wrapping her cloak around her, ‘as red as the blood she must spill.’ But what happens next is the biggest shock of all. I must warn you townspeople who wish to believe this little girl is innocent and please do not read further.

Little Red Riding Hood knew of the wolf’s intentions, but she had desires too. Seductively she stripped for the wolf, before removing his clothing, burning them so they could be one. Little Red Riding Hood ‘freely gave the kiss she owed him.’

And if you go in the woods today and sneakily look in the window you will see ‘sweet and sound she sleeps in granny’s bed, between the paws of the tender wolf.’ Little Red Riding Hood is no longer so little.

Now whatever happened to poor Granny, have we all forgotten? Little did we know but an eye witness was peeping through Granny’s window the night of this horrific event. The key eye witness stated the happenings as follows, ‘he (wolf) strips off his trousers and she (Granny) can see how hairy his legs are… his genitals, huge. Ah! Huge.’ Before killing her and throwing her hair in the fire. The eye witness did not stick around to see the rest; I don’t blame him, do you?

Furthermore… Hollywood has embraced this controversial story…

The Company of Wolves (1984)

The movie ‘The Company of Wolves’ follows a very close resemblance to Angela Carter’s 1979 novel. Although, characteristics of the novel are emphasised through special effects and music to create a more enthralling text.

Due to the infamous tale of Little Red Riding Hood Director Neil Jordon has used evidence from the crime scene to reproduce the gruesome events of that evening. Below are two important elements from the film that show the public a visual interpretation of Little Red Riding Hood’s seductive behaviours.

The Shawl – this supposedly represents the beginning of the girl’s menstrual cycle – hence the shawl being ‘red as blood’ (The Company of Wolves 2005).

Egg & Mirror ~The mirror in this movie represents the girl’s growing vanity linked with her sexual awakening and self recognition. The egg represents the women’s womb and the young girl’s passage into womanhood (The Company of Wolves 2005).

“Little girls, this seems to say, Never stop upon your way,

Never trust a stranger-friend; No one knows how it will end.

As you’re pretty so be wise; Wolves may lurk in every guise.

Handsome they may be, and kind,

Gay, and charming nevermind!

Now, as then, ‘tis simple truth

Sweetest tongue has sharpest tooth!”

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©2006 StewartShanley	©2006 StewartShanley