Layla and the Wolf

A Little Basket for a Big Journey

In a small village near the forest lived a kind little girl called Layla. She loved her red cloak, because it was warm and had a soft hood that covered her ears when the wind blew.

One sunny morning, her mother packed a basket with soft bread, a small jar of honey and a few apples. “Your grandmother isn't feeling her best today,” her mother said. “Will you take this basket to her?”

Layla was delighted, and she carried the basket with both hands. Before she left, she heard her mother's advice: “Walk on the clear path, don't wander away from it, and don't tell strangers where your grandmother lives.”

Layla nodded and said, “All right, Mama.” Then she went out of the door, her red cloak shining in the morning light.

A Path Among Trees and Flowers

The way to Grandmother's house ran through a green forest. Yellow and purple flowers grew on both sides, and up in the branches a blue bird sang a short song 🔊The bird sings.

Layla saw a little squirrel standing on a stone, holding a hazelnut between its paws. She stopped for a moment to watch it, then carried on along the dirt path.

“I'll get to Grandmother's house,” Layla said to herself, “put the basket on her table, then sit beside her and listen to a story.” She imagined her grandmother laughing and opening the window to let in the smell of the forest.

But behind a big tree, two eyes were watching the red cloak from far away...

The Wolf Behind the Tree

A wolf lived in that forest. He saw Layla and her basket, stepped out a little from behind a tree trunk and said, in a voice far gentler than usual, “Good morning! Where are you going, you in the red cloak?”

Layla remembered her mother's words. She didn't go any closer to the wolf. “I'm on my way to visit my family,” she answered. And she didn't tell him where the house was.

The wolf gave a strange smile. “The flowers are prettier away from the path!” he said.

Layla looked at the lovely flowers, but she didn't move towards them. “Thank you, but I'll stay on the path,” she said, and she walked on with quicker steps.

As for the wolf, he spotted smoke rising from the chimney of a little house among the trees, and a cunning trick came into his mind.

A Race Layla Knew Nothing About

The wolf set off running between the trees, darting around rocks and leaping over small logs. He wanted to reach the house before Layla.

At the edge of the forest stood Grandmother's house, with its red roof and stone chimney. The wolf stopped in front of the door, caught his breath, and gave a few light knocks 🔊Knock, knock!.

“Who's there?” Grandmother asked from inside. The wolf tried to copy Layla's voice, but it came out rough and funny.

Grandmother peeped through a gap in the curtain and saw the wolf! She shut the door tight and hurried to the small storeroom at the back of the house. It had a strong door that she could lock from the inside.

The wolf found a side window that wasn't properly closed. He slipped through it and began looking for a way to look like Grandmother. He didn't know that Grandmother was somewhere safe.

A Strange Grandmother in the Bed

The wolf put on Grandmother's glasses and her white lace cap. Then he hid under the colourful quilt until only his nose and ears were showing.

“If I speak in a low voice,” he said to himself, “Layla may think I'm her grandmother.” He tried once more to copy Grandmother's voice: “Hello, my little one!” But then he sneezed an enormous sneeze 🔊Achoo! that knocked the glasses sideways on his nose.

In the storeroom, Grandmother could hear the noises from far off. She stayed calm and decided to wait for the right moment to call for help.

And on the path, Layla was finally getting close to the house, thinking about the bread and honey that would make her grandmother happy.

Oh Grandmother, What Big Ears You Have!

Layla knocked on the door and heard a strange voice say, “Come in, my little one.” She stepped in carefully and put the basket on a chair beside the bed.

She looked at the face on the pillow and said in surprise, “Oh Grandmother, what big ears you have!”

“All the better to hear you with,” said the wolf, trying to make his voice small.

Layla came just one step closer. “And what big eyes you have!”

“All the better to see you with,” said the wolf.

Layla noticed a long nose and teeth that were nothing like her grandmother's. She backed towards the door and said firmly, “You are not my grandmother!”

Just then she heard her real grandmother's voice calling from the storeroom: “Layla, I'm here! Don't go near him!”

Help Arrives Just in Time

Layla quickly opened the front door and shouted as loudly as she could: “Help! There's a wolf in my grandmother's house!”

A forest ranger was passing close by, carrying his axe, because he had been cutting dry wood away from the path. He heard the call, came to the door and asked, “Is everyone all right?”

When the wolf saw him, he jumped out of the bed in fright. The ranger waved his hand towards the open door, and the wolf ran out 🔊Running footsteps into the forest without hurting anyone.

Grandmother's voice led Layla and the ranger to the storeroom. They opened the door, and out came Grandmother, safe and sound, and she hugged Layla tight.

“I knew something strange was going on when I saw his ears and his teeth!” said Layla.

A Hug and a New Story

Grandmother sat with Layla by the window. Sunlight came into the room, and on the table lay the bread, the apples and the honey.

“Well done for noticing the signs of danger and asking for help so quickly,” said Grandmother, hugging Layla.

“I was a little scared,” Layla answered, “but I remembered Mama's advice. And next time, if I hear a strange voice, I'll tell you before I go in.”

Grandmother laughed. “And I'll only open the door when I'm sure who is visiting.”

They ate together, and Grandmother told a funny story about a bird who tried to build a nest on top of a straw hat. Before Layla went home, her grandmother said to her, “Being brave doesn't mean never being afraid. It means paying attention and acting wisely.”

Layla walked home along the safe path, waving from far away. And she knew she would never forget her story with the forest.

Back to the library