Roald Dahl was born in Wales in 1916. At a very young age, his sister and his father passed away within a week of each other. He is a very popular author with young children and adults alike and has published many short stories, novels and poems.

Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf appeared in his book entitled 'Revolting Rhimes'. In this version, Dahl has added humor to a very popular fairy tale to appeal to children of all ages. It is included below.

As soon as Wolf began to feel
That he would like a decent meal,
He went and knocked on Grandma's door.

When Grandma opened it, she saw

The sharp white teeth, the horrid grin,
And Wolfie said, ``May I come in?''
Poor Grandmamma was terrified,
``He's going to eat me up!'' she cried.

And she was absolutely right.
He ate her up in one big bite.
But Grandmamma was small and tough,
And Wolfie wailed, ``That's not enough!
I haven't yet begun to feel
That I have had a decent meal!''
He ran around the kitchen yelping,
``I've got to have a second helping!''
Then added with a frightful leer,
``I'm therefore going to wait right here
Till Little Miss Red Riding Hood
Comes home from walking in the wood.''
He quickly put on Grandma's clothes,
(Of course he hadn't eaten those).
He dressed himself in coat and hat.
He put on shoes, and after that
He even brushed and curled his hair,
Then sat himself in Grandma's chair.
In came the little girl in red.
She stopped. She stared. And then she said,

``What great big ears you have, Grandma.''
``All the better to hear you with,'' the Wolf replied.
``What great big eyes you have, Grandma.''
said Little Red Riding Hood.
``All the better to see you with,'' the Wolf replied.

He sat there watching her and smiled.
He thought, I'm going to eat this child.
Compared with her old Grandmamma
She's going to taste like caviar.

Then Little Red Riding Hood said, ``But Grandma,
what a lovely great big furry coat you have on.''

``That's wrong!'' cried Wolf. ``Have you forgot
To tell me what BIG TEETH I've got?
Ah well, no matter what you say,
I'm going to eat you anyway.''
The small girl smiles. One eyelid flickers.
She wimps a pistol from her knickers.
She aims it at the creature's head
And bang bang bang, she shoots him dead.
A few weeks later, in the wood,
I came across Miss Riding Hood.
But what a change! No cloak of red,
No silly hood upon her head.
She said, ``Hello, and do please note
My lovely furry wolfskin coat.''

Roald Dahl, Revolting Rhimes

 

MODIFICATIONS

Unlike previous versions, this tale has been turned into a poem by Dahl. The rhythm and rhyme of the poem is something which would appeal to children. This version is therefore one for entertainment value.

Poem begins with the wolf and grandmamma.

Red Riding Hood herself shoots the wolf dead with a pistol. This shows the change in time and attitudes of society, as guns have been introduced and offer a source of protection in the 20th century.

Ends with Red Riding Hood wearing the wolf's coat. Ironic ending. Can also be seen as a satire, sending up the genre of fairy tales.

 

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