Little Red Riding Hood

I am taking a Creative Writing course this term. It's similar to the class I took in high school (Writer's Craft). Every week we do a workshop where two people bring in some of their work and everyone else critiques it and gives them feedback.

So tonight I was looking through my computer for things that I've written that I could bring in on my workshop day. I found this "play" I wrote for Writer's Craft. It was an assignment. We all had to write something about Little Red Riding Hood, but we had to be creative about it. We could change all the details we wanted, it could be a narrative, a poem, whatever.

I think mine's a poem truthfully, but because there are different speakers, we'll call it a play.

Here you go! Enjoy.

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Justine's Little Red Riding Hood

Mother:
Go to your grandmother’s house today,

But stay on the path; don’t you stray.

Little Red Riding Hood:
I know, I know; I’ve gone there before.
It’s only a short walk. Ten minutes, no more.

Mother:
Just promise, be careful Red Riding Hood.
Please stay on the path. For once, be good!

Little Red Riding Hood:
I promise you Mother, the safe way I’ll take.
But what am I bringing? Some cookies? A cake?

Mother:
Take this basket of breads and pastries.
Grandma will love it; they sure are tasty!

Narrator:
So Little Red Riding Hood put on her cape
And ran through the forest so she wouldn’t be late.
She ran over hills, through meadows and fields.
She needed to move quickly to bring Grandma her meal.
She ran looking forward, without turning back
Until she felt something tug on her cap.

Wolf:
Where are you going in such a big hurry?
Please, you can tell me. There’s no need to worry.

Little Red Riding Hood:
I’m going to see Grandma; she’s waiting for me.
My mother had told her I’d be there by three.

Wolf:
I know a shortcut to get you there faster!
Maybe you’ll help me find what I’ve been after…

Little Red Riding Hood:
I’m sorry; I’d love to come help with your task,
But I promised my mother I’d stay on the path.

Narrator:
The wolf begged and pleaded, but still she said no.
It didn’t bother the wolf though; he knew where to go.
He ran and he hurried and came to the house,
And while Grandma lay sleeping, snuck in like a mouse.
“I’ll show that girl,” the evil wolf said,
And he gobbled up Grandma, right in her bed.

Little Red Riding Hood:
Grandma, I’m here! It’s me, Riding Hood.
I brought you some baking. It smells really good!

Wolf (disguised as Grandma):
Come here to my bedside. I’m so tired and old.
These pastries are sure to help with my cold.

Little Red Riding Hood:
Oh Grandma! You really have let yourself go!
You’ve changed quite a bit; I thought you should know.
Your eyes are much larger, your mouth is much wider—

Narrator:
And then the old wolf sank his teeth deep inside her.
That mean old wolf gobbled up Red like a dumpling.
Then in came the woodsman who thought he heard something.

Woodsman:
Hello. May I enter? Is anyone here?
I heard screams of terror, and panic, and fear!

Wolf:
Oh, hello kind woodsman! No, no. It’s just me.
I dropped some old dishes while making my tea.

Woodsman:
Did you need any help? Something I could do?
I wouldn’t want to leave such a mess all for you.

Wolf:
No, that’s okay, darling. I’m really alright.
This happens quite often: two, three times a night.

Narrator:
And then from the belly of that awful beast
Arose such a screaming, and it would not cease.
And just as the woodsman had turned ’round to leave,
That nasty, old wolf snatched him back by the sleeve!
He gobbled the woodsman, ate even his hat.
Then the wolf was so full that he needed a nap.
He took off the nightgown and crawled into bed.
Then he fluffed up his pillow and lay down his head.

So there the wolf stayed, his head fills with dreams.
No one heard Grandma’s and Little Red’s screams,
And forever and after, their deaths were a mystery,
A story, a tale: one moment in history.