Red riding hood & the Clever Cookies

Red Riding Hood, with her bright red cloak and a basket full of goodies, skipped down the sunny path towards her grandmother's cottage. Her grandma wasn't feeling well, so Red's mama had packed a basket with warm cookies, Grandma's favorite wildflower tea, and a new book filled with exciting stories. As Red skipped along, humming a cheerful tune, a shadow fell across her path. It was a sly fox with fur as red as rust and eyes that gleamed like amber stones. "Good morning, little one," the fox rasped, his voice dripping with false sweetness. "Where are you headed with such a delightful basket?" Red, ever polite, stopped and replied, "I'm going to see my grandma. She's not feeling well, so I'm bringing her some treats and a new book." The fox feigned concern. "Oh dear, your grandma sounds like she needs some cheering up. But the forest can be a tricky place. Why don't you take the long way around? It's much safer, and you can gather some wildflowers for your grandma too!" Red, though a little suspicious of the fox's sudden kindness, thanked him and continued on her way. But something about his words felt wrong. She remembered her mama's warnings about strangers and decided to stick to the shorter path, even if it meant being extra cautious. Meanwhile, the sly fox raced ahead, using a shortcut only he knew. He burst into Grandma's cozy cottage, startling the old woman who was just finishing her morning tea. "Good morning, Grandma!" the fox snarled, his voice losing its sweetness. "It looks like you have a delicious visitor coming soon. But wouldn't it be a shame if she never arrived?" Grandma, though frail, was far from helpless. She grabbed her trusty rolling pin, a weapon she'd used to chase away hungry foxes in her youth. "Get out of my house, you scoundrel!" she boomed, brandishing the rolling pin. The fox, surprised by Grandma's spunk, scurried out the back door and hid in the woods, waiting for Red to arrive. Red, skipping along the path, noticed a trail of wildflowers leading deeper into the forest. Though curious, she remembered her mama's warnings about straying from the path. Instead, she decided to use the wildflowers as a clue. Following the trail, she reached a clearing where her grandma's cottage stood, nestled amongst the trees. But something seemed off. The door was ajar, and smoke billowed from the chimney in an unusual way. Red, taking a deep breath, peeked through the window. There she saw the fox, disguised in her grandma's nightgown and cap, trying (and failing) to reach a jar of honey from the top shelf. Red knew she had to act fast. Taking a handful of cookies from her basket, she threw them through the open window, yelling, "Look, Grandma! Cookies!" The fox, startled by the sound and the sight of flying cookies, jumped back, knocking over a chair in the process. Red used this opportunity to burst through the door, brandishing her basket like a shield. Seeing Red, the fox stammered, "Granddaughter? But... but I... these cookies..." Red, not fooled for a second, pointed her basket at the fox. "You tricked me with the long way, then tried to trick Grandma! But I outsmarted you both!" The fox, realizing he was outwitted, slunk away with his tail between his legs. Red helped her real grandma clean up the cottage, then they settled down for a cozy afternoon, enjoying the cookies and reading stories together. From that day on, Red Riding Hood was known not just for her red cloak, but also for her bravery, quick thinking, and the delicious cookies that always seemed to come in handy!