Red Cloak Ela and the Cunning Wolf

Once upon a time, in a charming cottage at the edge of the forest, lived a sweet little girl with her mother. She loved the red cloak her grandmother had given her so much that everyone called her "Red Cloak Ela." One day, her mother said, "Your grandmother is feeling a bit unwell. Could you take this basket to her? But be sure not to stray from the path in the forest, and don't talk to anyone."

Ela took the basket and set off cheerfully. The forest was wonderful that day. Sunbeams filtered through the leaves of the trees, and birds sang their most beautiful songs. As butterflies danced around her, she skipped along the path. She had almost forgotten her mother's warning.

But there was something Ela didn't notice. Behind the dense trees, a pair of cunning eyes was watching her. This was the most deceitful wolf in the forest. The wolf's stomach was rumbling, but he had more than just food on his mind: he had a plan. He began to follow the girl silently, his steps so soft they didn't even crunch a dry leaf.

Suddenly, the wolf stepped out from behind the tree and stood before Ela. In his most friendly voice, he said, "Hello, little girl. Where are you going all by yourself on this beautiful day?" Ela was a bit startled by the wolf who had appeared so suddenly, but his gentle voice reassured her.

"I'm going to my grandmother's," chirped Ela. "She's a little sick, so I'm taking her some cake and juice." The wolf said, "What a thoughtful grandchild! But look, how beautiful are those flowers over there! Wouldn't your grandmother be even happier to see fresh flowers?"

Forgetting her mother's words completely, Ela exclaimed, "What a wonderful idea!" and left the path, running towards the flower field. She began to pick the prettiest daisies and violets. While she was busy with the flowers, the wolf wasted no time and began to run at full speed towards the grandmother's house via a shortcut.

The wolf arrived at the grandmother's house long before Ela. He knocked gently on the door. From inside, the grandmother's weak voice was heard: "Who is it?" The wolf, making his voice high-pitched, replied: "It's me, grandmother, Ela! I've brought you some cake!"

"Lift the latch and come in, my dear. I don't have the strength to get out of bed," said the grandmother. As soon as the wolf burst in, the poor grandmother sat up in bed and froze when she saw the wolf before her. The wolf let out a laugh, wrapped the old woman in the thick quilt on her bed, and to keep her from making noise, he hid her inside the large, wooden wardrobe in the room.

The wolf put on the grandmother's nightgown and cap and lay down in the bed. Soon, Ela arrived. She was surprised to see the door ajar. When she went inside, she noticed how strange her grandmother lying in bed looked. "Grandmother," she said, "what big ears you have!"

The wolf replied in a muffled voice, "All the better to hear you with, my dear." "But your eyes, why are they so big?" the girl asked. "All the better to see you with," said the wolf. "But grandmother, what big hands you have!" The wolf grumbled, "All the better to hug you with."

With a trembling voice, Ela asked her final question: "But those terrible, sharp teeth... Why are they so big?" The wolf roared, "ALL THE BETTER TO CATCH YOU WITH!" and leaped out of the bed. Just then, the cottage door burst open with a loud noise! A tall woodcutter with an axe in his hand entered.