This is an adaptation of two fairy tales, "Little Red Riding Hood" and "The Three Little Pigs," reimagined with an amusing variation to the combined storyline. I wrote it for a paperback children's book available on Amazon.
The story aims to teach young children the importance of teamwork to achieve a common goal. This is the full version for your enjoyment.
Little Red Riding Hood was strolling through the woods one day on her way home from her grandmother’s house.
She had a great time visiting her elderly grandmother, who always gave her a basket full of fresh vegetables to take home to share with her mom and dad.
As she strolled through the woods, she heard the musical sounds of the birds tweeting, squirrels scurrying around the forest, and the leaves blowing in the wind.
Yes, nature is full of wonderful sounds.
Little Red suddenly came across a fallen tree with the roots out of the ground, and observed it in amazement.
Suddenly, a wolf came by and noticed that Little Red was looking somewhat puzzled.
“What’s wrong?” the wolf asked her enquiringly.
Red explained, “I’m wondering if a falling tree makes a sound if no one is around to hear it.”
The wolf wasn’t really a big bad wolf, as one might imagine. He was kind enough to help her figure this out with an experiment that requires blowing down a tree.
The wolf told Little Red to leave the forest and go as far away as possible. Then he would huff, and he would puff, and blow some other tree down while she was away.
Little Red had no idea if this wolf could be trusted. However, she also had no reason not to trust him. After all, he was letting her go. What else could he be up to?
The wolf searched around for a tree to use for the experiment. He found one that looked unhealthy and may come down in a storm soon anyway.
After Red was out of sight, the wolf huffed, and he puffed, and he blew that tree down.
“It did make a sound,” he insisted when Red returned.
Nevertheless, she wasn’t convinced. She hadn’t heard it.
They both figured they needed to conduct the experiment more scientifically.
They needed more help. They needed three others to help them.
They needed someone to stay near the tree.
They also needed another to stay far away, way out of the forest.
Lastly, they needed a third to climb up the tree to have a close-up view of the experiment in action.
They strolled through the forest together, looking for others to help them.
They came to a red house with a red cobblestone path leading to the front door, a red fence around its yard, and vines growing on all the trees around the house.
They knew someone was home because there was smoke coming from the chimney. They might have been cooking a meal.
Little Red knocked on the door, and not one, not two, but three little piggies greeted them and invited them in.
While enjoying a nice warm cup of soup that the three little pigs offered their guests, the wolf and Little Red described their curious desire to learn if a tree makes a sound when no one is there to hear it fall.
They explained that they needed a plan for an experiment.
All three little piggies were eager to help.
The five of them put their minds together and discussed how they should conduct the experiment. They all agreed on a practical plan.
The first little piggy stayed near the tree to observe the situation.
The second little piggy went to the market to buy some chicken soup. He was chosen as the one to stay way out of the forest anyway.
The third little piggy, well, he crawled all the way up the tree.
They were ready to begin. Little Red stood by to watch. She was impatient, waiting to discover the outcome of the experiment.
The wolf huffed …
… and he puffed …
… and he blew that tree down.
When the tree came down, there was a sudden scurry of animals throughout the forest. A couple of deer looked back, out of curiosity, as they ran away.
The wolf, Little Red, and the two pigs discussed what they each had witnessed.
The piggy that stayed nearby confirmed that he indeed heard the tree make a HUGE BANG when it hit the ground.
The little piggy on the tree had the ride of his life as the tree came down. He said it made a LOUD noise as it hit the ground, with him in it!
Everyone was interested to know what the third little piggy would say when he returned.
After some time, and with a full belly of chicken soup, he returned from the market and insisted that a falling tree does not make a sound unless someone is there to hear it.
He knew this for sure. He was certain. For him, it was silent.
He came up with the most obvious conclusion, saying, “You had to be there.”
The wolf and Little Red were disappointed with the confusing sentiments of all the little piggies.
Their thoughts were clearly stated. Their beliefs were justified. Their views were convincing. Their feelings were obvious. Their verdict seemed intact. The results were unwavering.
Little Red Riding Hood made little judgment on the matter.
Only the wolf had his own opinion. He had a right to be decisive. After all, he was the big bad wolf.
Was this meaningful to you? Tap
