Lullventyr
The Wolf And The Seven Little Kids — cover illustration
Bedtime story

The Wolf And The Seven Little Kids

by Jacob Grimm And Wilhelm Grimm

An old goat lovingly prepares to leave her seven little kids at home while she goes into the forest to find food. Before departing, she warns them to be on guard against a dangerous wolf who disguises himself to trick them. She tells the children specific details about his rough voice and black feet so they can identify him. Soon after she leaves, the wolf arrives at the door pretending to be their mother. The clever kids notice his deep voice and refuse to open the door for him. Undeterred, the wolf buys chalk to soften his voice and tries again with a sweeter tone. However, he still fails because the children see his black paws through the window. He then visits a baker and a miller to cover his feet in dough and flour until they look white. Convinced by his disguised appearance, the kids open the door and let him in. The wolf quickly devours six of the seven little kids, hiding the youngest one away. After his feast, he falls asleep under a tree outside, unaware that his meal is still alive inside him. The mother goat returns home to find the house in chaos and her children missing. She eventually finds the wolf sleeping and cuts open his belly to rescue her surviving offspring. All six kids jump out unharmed, and the family celebrates their miraculous survival together. They fill the wolf's stomach with heavy stones and sew him back up while he sleeps. When the wolf wakes up and goes to drink, the weight of the stones pulls him into the well. He drowns in the water, ending his threat forever. The seven kids and their mother dance for joy at their safe return.

How it begins

There was once upon a time an old goat who had seven little kids, and loved them with all the love of a mother for her children. One day she wanted to go into the forest and fetch some food. So she called all seven to her and said: 'Dear children, I have to go into the forest, be on your guard against the wolf; if he comes in, he will devour you all--skin, hair, and everything. The wretch often disguises himself, but you will know him at once by his rough voice and his black feet.' The kids said: 'Dear mother, we will take good care of ourselves; you may go away without any anxiety.' Then the old one…

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