Little Red Riding Hood: A Howling Story!

                           Based upon the fairy tale by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm

                                                  Retelling by Greg K. Morris

I'm going to tell you a story about a girl called Jillian Keith. She lived in charmingly rustic log cabin. Jillian was averaged sized, light blue eyed, enthusiastic and had long, parted down the middle, pigtailed raven hair. Our story starts on the evening of October 6th.

It was Jillian's 13th birthday. That dark, rainstormy Friday night, her family gathered together to throw Jillian a party. The grownups wore formally casual party clothes, Jillian had on a specially made by her mother, blue dress with yellow flowers on it.

In attendance were Jillian's mother and father, Cornelia and Benjamin. Cornelia, of her own volition, found more than enough satisfaction in being a homemaker. She was a short statured, lean, eloquent, striking woman who possessed jet black, bobbed hair, curving eyebrows, skin of fairness, blue eyes and lips like two red rose petals. Benjamin's occupation was working as a rule following, game utilizing hunter for hire (don't judge him too quickly). I'd describe him as being laidback, well built, richly voiced and beardy. He had blue eyes and white hair, too.

"Everybody gather 'round. It's almost time for cake!" said Cornelia. "I'll like the candles, Corry", Benjamin told his wife. "Thank you, Benny. You're so helpful!" she replied. Also invited was Cornelia's mother Mildred Simon, who was affectionately known as "Grandma Millie". She was a dark eyed, spritely, diminutive, curly haired, bespeckled plummy voiced woman who's age I shan't be disclosing to you--She'd prefer it if I didn't. "Let's sing for our darling Jilly!" she uttered.

Benjamin darkened the cabin's living room and all three adults sang Happy Birthday for Jillian. Cornelia, who'd been holding the cake, subsequently placed it before her daughter. "Blow out candles, dearest!", she said. "Yeah, make your wish count, Jilly" added Benjamin. "However, don't disclose it!" Mildred warned. "I'll make a special wish and see that it comes true" Jillian replied. "Here goes!".

She blew out the candles. "My baby girl's officially 13! This is wonderful" exclaimed Cornelia. "Congratulations, hon! This is momentous occasion" said Benjamin. "Many happy returns, sweetheart", uttered Mildred. Jillian took a bow and said "Thanks, everyone!".

"Let's cut into this cake" suggested Cornelia. "Benny, will you do the honors please?". "It would be my pleasure, Corry" her husband answered. "What a man I've got" Cornelia gloated to her mother. "You should marry 'im!" Mildred joked. "That would be a good life decision, wouldn't it!" Cornelia replied. Benjamin overheard this and responded with a chuckle. Soon everybody had a piece of cake, correlating ice cream and ginger ale to drink.

When everybody had finished, it was present time. "I cannot wait to open these up!" Jillian stated. "Don't forget, cards first" her mother reminded. "Oh, right. Of course. Sorry, mother!" Jillian replied. She opened her cards. Each one was handmade, personalized and contained a sweet message. "Now you may open your gifts, Jilly" Cornelia said. "Go mad, kid!" Benjamin encouraged.

Jillian's first present was a slingshot from her father. "Don't play with it in the house, be careful and don't aim at someone unless doing so is absolutely necessary!" were Cornelia's directions. Next, the birthday girl received a lovely doll, courtesy of her mother. "She's going to be an ornament to your collection" Benjamin commented. "Oh, she will, pa. She's real lovely!" Jillian responded.

After receiving a few more odds and ins, it came time for Jillian to open her final present of the night. It was wrapped in brown paper and tied with strings. "I wonder what this could be" Jillian said. "It's from me. You'll just have to wait and see!" Mildred replied.

After ripping off her gift's wrapping paper and removing its strings, Jillian's face lit up. She laid her eyes on a beautifully assembled, engulfing, hooded cape made out of soft, pleasing to the eye red fabric. She held it up for everybody to see. "Took me two weeks to make it did. Hoping it's so your liking" said Mildred. "The work shows, it's fabulous. I love it. Thank you, grandma!" a grateful Jillian uttered. "You're so welcome, sweetheart. Thrilled you enjoy it!" Mildred replied.

"Try it on, show it off for us!" Cornelia encouraged. Jillian draped the cape over her shoulders, tied in on and pulled up the hood. She twirled around and started to swish the cape. "I'm having too much fun" Jillian admitted. "Look at you. I'd say your gift's a winner, Millie" Benjamin remarked. "Not too shabby work if I do say so myself. The cape really does befit you. It brings out your eyes!" Mildred said.

"From henceforth, you'll be known as little Red Riding hood" Cornelia declared. "Ooh, I like that title!" Jillian responded. Benjamin raised his glass of ginger ale and said "A toast to the birthday gal". The other two grownups follow suit with their glasses and everyone said "To Jilly!". This made Jillian turned red like her cape and said, "Thank you all for making my birthday extra happy!". "You're more than worth it!" stated Mildred.

The party soon began to wind down. "Oh, my goodness. I better be getting home!" Mildred stated after looking at the time. "You sure, Mildred?" Benjamin asked. "It's still raining outside. You're welcome to spend the night here". "That's kind of you to offer, but I'll make it back alright. There's no thunder or lightning out there" Mildred responded.

"If you say so mother" Cornelia said. "Call me in the morning and let me know you returned home safely, though". "I definitely will" Mildred promised. Jillian was sure to give her grandmother a hug. "Thanks for making the trip through the forest to be here" she said. "I wouldn't have missed for the world" Mildred replied as she hugged her back. Mildred headed on outside and opened her umbrella. "B-bye, all!" were her parting parting words. "Good night!" her family said. Benjamin shut the door behind her.

I'd say it's bedtime for you, miss birthday girl" Cornelia stated to Jillian. "Aw, but ma!" Jillian protested. "Don't 'Aw, but ma!" me. You had a loaded day, made memories and I'll bet your tired as a result. You probably know keep down that you're tired and are too stubborn to admit it" Jillian replied. "You've got me there" Jillian begrudgingly acknowledged.

"See Jilly. You're ma knows best--Most of the time" Benjamin innocently teased. Cornelia laughed at this in good fun remark, gave her husband a playful tap on his arm and said "Oh, Benny". "Dear Lord. They're gonna start kissing now" Jillian thought. "I'll go and get ready for bed", Jillian said aloud. "'Atta girl", Benjamin replied. "When you're ready, we'll tuck you in" Cornelia promised.

True to their word, Jillian's parents went to her bedroom and tucked her in. "We love you, Jilly. Hope your birthday was everything you hoped for" said Cornelia. "Love you, too" was Jillian's response. "It was all that and more". "Thrilled to hear" responded Benjamin as he turned off the lights. "Good night and sleep tight!". "Nighty-nighty!" Jillian replied. Each parent gave her a goodnight kiss and went into the hallway.

Jillian snuggled with her stuffed puppy named Fred. "I wonder what tomorrow holds in store" she thought to herself. Jillian unknowingly received an indication. She looked outside her bedroom window, saw a full moon and heard the chilling howl of a wolf in the distance.

Saturday morning, Jillian and her parents sat at the kitchen table and ate their breakfast. Jillian rewore her birthday dress, Cornelia and Benjamin were donned in their civilian clothing. "What're your plans for today?" Cornelia asked her husband. "I'm meeting up with a client this morning" Benjamin answered. "Good luck with them, dear" his wife responded. "Thanks, hon!" he said.

When Benjamin finished eating, he stood up and gave Cornelia a goodbye kiss. "Aw, yuck!" remarked a disgusted Jillian. "What can we say?" Cornelia said. "We're smitten" Benjamin added. He got this things together and said "see you two ladies later". "Tootles!" Jillian and Cornelia replied as he went off.

Not long after he'd left, the telephone rang. "Keith residence" Cornelia answered. "Good morning, Corry" said Mildred on the other end. "Oh, hello, mother. Glad to hear your voice. How're you today?" Cornelia responded. "Under the weather, I'm said to say. I developed a cold heading back last night" Mildred explained.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear about that. Is there anything I can do to help you out?" Cornelia asked. "A care package of sorts would be much appreciated" Mildred answered. "I'll have one sent to you later on in the day" Cornelia promised. "Much obliged, Corry" Mildred replied. "Get well soon, mother" were Cornelia's final words before she hung up.

She went over to her daughter, who was rocking in their chair. "All four on the floor, please" Cornelia civilly requested. Jillian listened. "What's going on this Grandma Millie?" she queried. "You're grandmother became the recipient of a cold after walking home" her mother explained. "I was afraid something like this would occur. Wish I said something at the time". "Well knowing, Grandma Millie, she would've headed off even if you did" Jillian said.

"You're probably right about that. Anyway, I'll need you to deliver her a basket of goodies for me, please" Cornelia explained. "Do I have to? It's a real long walk to her house" Jillian whined. "Yes, you have to" Jillian fairly but firmly stated. "Your father's meeting up with a client and I've got to go into town for errands. You're grown up enough to go by yourself. On top of all that, having some treats and seeing you would make your grandmother's day."

Jillian relinquished. "You're correct" she confessed. "That's my girl. Thank you" Cornelia replied. She packed a wicker basket with some leftover chocolate cake, brown bread and a bottle of Mildred's favourite wine. "Stay on the path and refrain from talking to strangers, please" Cornelia instructed as she put on her hat, jacket and gloves. "Will do" Jillian said. "Alright then. See you this evening!" Cornelia uttered as she picked up her purse and went out the door. "Bye, ma!" said Jillian.

It was a nippy, overcast Autumn day. On Cornelia's way to town, she passed by an eccentric man. He had on dark glasses, a black suit, fedora, white shirt, green tie, spats, gray gloves, red pocket hankie and a purple buttonhole flower. This caddish man double took and let out a loud wolf whistle. She looked back and gave him an irritated look. He stuck out his arm and said "Care to frolic with me?". "I'm a happily married woman. Paws off and shoo!" Cornelia rebuffed. "Your loss!" the roguish man barked back. "Not particularly. What a beast!" Cornelia muttered to herself as she walked away. "Ha! If she only knew!" the man snickered to himself as he went in the opposite direction.

Jillian left for her grandmother's house shortly thereafter, bringing along her slingshot and pebbles for ammo--Just in case. She started to follow the winding, dark dirt road which led to her destination. The autumn trees on each side of the road formed an ominous archway. Jillian listened to the slight breeze blowing through them, birds cawing and the crunching of underfoot, fallen leaves, which littered the road. The atmosphere was spooky to say the least, but Jillian pressed on.

Then, she happened on the fellow who previously encountered her mother. He sat cross legged on a bench and read that morning's newspaper. He'd removed his hat and glasses, which rested next to him. This snouty nosed, pointy eared strange character was a stockier individual, just over 5'5 but under 6 feet-tall. Unshaven, his brown, widow's peaked, longer hair was slicked-back. He had sly blue eyes with arching eyebrows.

He glanced up from his paper, grinned toothily and vigorously uttered "Hiya, sweetie! How ya doin' today?". "Fine. You?" Jillian apprehensively answered. "Just swell!" the stranger replied as put his paper aside and stood up. "I don't intend to be rude, but I'm not supposed to talk with strangers" was the next sentence Jillian said. "Technically, I spoke to you first, ya didn't speak with me initially. That's sufficient enough cause for you and I to keep on talking" the stranger reasoned. "What's yer name, kiddo?". "I guess that's fair. It's Jillian, mister", she revealed. "Glad to make your acquaintance. You may refer to me as Wolfy!", the man replied. "That's an interesting name", Jillian commented.

She tried to wriggle away politely as a means of obeying her mother. However, Wolfy pranced to the road's middle. "What's your Hurry?" the wolfish man inquired. "I'm going to visit somebody at the road's end" Jillian answered. "Who ya visiting?" Wolfy questioned. "Oh, my Grandma, Millie. She's ill today and I'll be bringing this to her, too" Jillian explained, holding up her basket in the process. "What a good little granddaughter you are" Wolfy commented. "what's inside that basket of yours?". "It contains chocolate cake, wine and brown bread. Hopefully they'll make her feel better. Giving her these are the least I can do to repay her considering this cape I'm wearing. She made it for me" Jillian replied.

"How utterly exquisite. Your grandma's handiwork is mighty crafty" Wolfy responded. "Yes, sir! It sure is" Jillian said. "You know what would really cheer up grandma?" Wolfy asked. "No, what?" Jillian replied. "A bundle of flowers for her" Wolfy answered. "Oh, that is such a nice idea!" Jillian uttered. "And there just so happens to be a prosperous flower bed over there" Wolfy revealed as he pointed sharply to the right. "I'm not sure I ought to check it out", a hesitant Jillian said. "I promised my mother I'd remain on the path". "Ah, c'mon" Wolfy replied. "Live a little, kiddo. Your ma wouldn't mind if you wandered a bit and committed a good deed".

Jillian hadn't met a man such as Wolfy before. He was boisterous and unapologetically himself. There was a charming edge to him as well. Jillian gave in. "I'll take your word for it", she said. "Good girl, glad you looked at my point of view!" Wolfy replied. "I'll go pick the flowers now. Thank you for telling me about them!" Jillian said. "Don't you go mentioning it, sweets. You run along and don't hurry yourself. Bye, kid!" Wolfy uttered. Jillian said "See ya!" and skedaddled. The giddy girl ran out of sight. "Sweet girl, shame she's a dunce" Wolfy muttered to himself.

Little did Jillian know that she'd just spoken with a wanted individual--Wolfgang Jones. Before her time, he was rowdy, carousing, roaming, infamous crook with penchants for roughhousing, lovely women, the black arts, devouring meat, gambling and stealing. Wolfgang fussed with the wrong people and was cursed. He turned into a permanently anthropomorphic, lycanthropic creature. Alas, he embraced the wolfish form and continued his wickedness. Gossip of his presence had spread through the town, but Jillian and her family weren't privy to it. However, her parents and grandma knew of their reputation and transformation.

Wolfy removed his tie, unbuttoned the top buttons of their shirt, kicked off shoes and tore away gloves. All this revealed a hairy chest and Wolfy's furry, clawed paws. "I'm glad those get to breathe" Wolfy stated to himself. He untucked his tail from the flaps of his tailcoat and uttered, "Aaah, I've been tuckin' that all day!". Wolfy set forth and took a left sided shortcut to the road's end. "Grandma's gonna have a special guest!" Wolf boasted with a wicked laugh.

While running errands, a wanted poster posted outside a shop caught Cornelia's eye. "Wanted for numerous crimes, dead or alive. Wolfgang 'Wolfy' Jones", she read aloud. Next, Cornelia looked at Wolfy's drawing on it and froze. She recognized Wolfy as the repugnant man who wolf whistled at her earlier. "Oh, no. Jillian!" she said.

Cornelia ran for home as far as her two legs could could run. Outside, she saw a back early Benjamin, who was sitting outside and reading the paper. "Honey! I have terrible news" she cried. "What's going on, love?" he queried. "I crossed paths with an obscene man earlier in the day. I hadn't seen him before, but it turns out that he's actually Wolfgang Jones!" she exclaimed.

"That's awful! I literally just read about him in this morning's paper. He's actually been spotted in the area by others. I'm glad no harm came to you during your encounter" Benjamin said. "Mother's sick today and I sent Jillian to deliver her a get well soon basket. He's liable to come across Jillian and mother!" Cornelia explained. "Dear God, we have to stop him and save them now!" Benjamin urgently declared. "There's no time to waste!" Cornelia proclaimed. Benjamin got his loaded, registered gun. Cornelia brought out her carving knife and both of them rushed to the forest.

By this point in time, Wolfy had arrived at Mildred's house, which was a genteel, welcoming, tasteful, modestly sized cottage. "Tis time for 'ole Wolfy to attend a meat and eat with a dame!" he said to himself. Wolfy wrapped on the door with a trio of knocks. "Who's knocking?" Mildred called out from within. Wolfy mockingly mimicked Jillian and said "It's your favourite granddaughter!". "Oh, splendid. The door's open, dear!" Grandma Mildred responded. Wolfy saw himself in.

Garbed in a kerchief and nightgown, Millie was sitting in her canopy bed and reading a book. "Can't tell you how thrilled I am about your visit" she said as Wolfy entered. However, when she caught sight of him, a horrified Mildred dropped her book. "Hey, gran!" Wolfy uttered. "Wolfgang Jones, so you really were transformed into a wolf creature!" Mildred said. "You bet, transforming into my current Lupus state was the grandest thing that coulda happened!" Wolfy replied. "What do want with me?" Grandma Millie asked.

"Your valuables for starters. Secondly, a side effect of my wolfly condition is a fondness for human flesh. Given that my tummy's rumbling away, I figured you could assist me" Wolfy answered. Mildred reached for a decorative glass ball from her bedside table and said "I'm afraid I am unable to provide any assistance in that regard". She hurled it at him and made a dash for the door. However, the dexterous Wolfy dodged it and caught hold of her in his arms. "Nice try, but your aim requires improvement" a condescending Wolfy declared. "Now, be a doll. Ask for the time of day and refer to me as Mr. Wolf, please" he facetiously directed. "What time is it Mr. Wolf?" Grandma Millie tremblingly asked. "Dinner time" he declared.

Wolfy used his knowledge of dark magic to shrink her down. As she let out a scream, he picked Mildred and wolfed her down whole in one gulp. Wolfy snapped their fingers and she was returned to her regular size in his magically larger than it looked externally stomach. "She's got a gloriously aged, well preserved flavor to her", he commented.

Wolfy robbed Mildred of her belongings and stuffed them in a pillow case. He subsequently changed into a spare set of her pajamas and wore an extra pair of specs from the bedside table's drawer. He looked at himself in a mirror and shamelessly proclaimed "I actually pull off this look!". Wolfy took his place in her bed and waited for Jillian.

On cue, she knocked on the front door. "Good day, child. Enter, the door's unlocked!" Wolfy uttered in a disguised voice. She went inside the house, shut the door and said "Hi, grandma. How are you feeling?!". "Better now that you're here, my pride and joy" an incognito Wolfy insincerely stated. "Can I get you anything while I'm up?" Jillian asked. "Oh, no, sweets. Just come closer and let me see you in that cape I gave you" an in character Wolfy requested. She sat down her basket and obeyed.

Wolfy's appearance had been shrouded by the shadows of Grandma Millie's bed curtains, which were the next thing Wolfy intended to steal. As such, Jillian couldn't see him properly. When she approached the bed chamber, Jillian saw the masquerading wolfy more clearly. "You're not looking like yourself, grandma", she commented. "That's what transpires when your sick" the faux grandma replied. Suddenly, it occurred to Jillian that Grandma Millie never called her "sweets" before.

"What big eyes you have, grandma!" Jillian declared, all while taking a step back. "The better to see your scared expression with, my dear!" Wolfy replied. "What big ears you have!" was Jillian's next observation. "The better to hear your startled voice with!" Wolfy responded. Lastly, Jillian stated "What fangy, big teeth you have!". Wolfy broke character and yelled "That the better to eat you with!". He sprang out from under the covers and stood on top of Mildred's bed. Jillian yanked down the bed curtains, but wolfy swatted them away. She got out her slingshot and aimed a pebble between wolfy's hind legs. After a direct hit, he howled out "Ow!!!".

Jillian tried to run, but Wolfy grabbed onto her cape. "You shouldn't have done that, baneful brat!" he growled. "What did you do with Grandma?" she shrieked. "Tell you what, I'll have dessert and reunite you with her!" Wolfy howled. With a firm yank of the girl's cape, she fell backwards and he performed the same ritual that was used on Jillian's grandmother. Cornelia and Benjamin heard her scream a mile away. "We've got to act fast! Cornelia cried. "Yes, let's go save our daughter!" Benjamin said.

Back at Grandma Millie's cottage, Wolfy also devoured the contents of Jillian's basket. Though full and drowsy, he lit a celebratory cigar, smoked it and self-satisfying remarked, "She was in her prime. I've been sufficiently nourished". After putting out the butt, Wolfy plopped into Grandma Millie's bed, declared "I need my beauty rest" and started to nap. As he napped, Cornelia and Benjamin bolted through the cottage door.

"What a freakish sight!" Benjamin commented when he saw wolfy asleep in his mother-in-law's bed. "Dear God! it looks like we're too late" Cornelia exclaimed . "Not necessarily, Corry" said a perceptive Benjamin. "What do you mean, Benny? He got both of them!" a heartbroken Cornelia replied. "Look at their stomach" her husband instructed with a point. Cornelia looked closely. It was wriggly and jiggly.

"Son of a gun, they're trying to escape!" she observed. "We've got to free them this instant!". "How should we do it?" Benjamin asked. "You leave that to me, dear" replied Cornelia. She took out her carving knife and made a long, vertical, careful slit across Wolfy's stomach. The bottle of wine had whacked Wolfy out, so he didn't notice at all.

I'll spare you the gory details, but Jillian and Mildred were freed. The 2 climbed through the hole and crawled out of his Wolfy's stomach as quick as they could. Following the tradition of youngest going first, Jillian was the initial person to escape. "Ma! Pa!" she cried. As such, Mildred exited next. "My heroes!" were her words.

"Are you two alright?" Benjamin asked. "All things concerned, we are. Ugh, it was so rank, moist and claustrophobic in there. We couldn't see a thing!" Mildred answered. Jillian ran to and hugged her mother. "This is all my fault. He tricked me into talking with him. Wolfy steered me to lollygagg, too. Please accept my apology and forgive me" she said.

"Oh, you're forgiven. It's just relieving to know you're okay. Don't feel too bad. I'm sorry for having you go to grandma's when there was a wanted man on the prowl. Wolfgang has a reputation of having a silver tongue. You wouldn't be the first person he manipulated" Cornelia replied as she hugged her back. "Even so, I won't be repeating today's mistakes" Jillian promised. "Me, neither, sweetheart" her mother vowed.

"What'll we do to him?" Benjamin asked as he pointed to the still dozing Wolfy, who snored unnaturally and irritatingly. "We ought to let him have it some way!" Mildred stated. Jillian came up with a course of action. "I heard a story in school", she explained. "Its wolf villain endured a fate we could use on Wolfy". "What'd it entail?" Benjamin asked.

Jillian elaborated. "Ooh, that's quite feasible" Cornelia responded. "Wolfy's more than deserving of that" Mildred added. "Let's make it happen!" Benjamin said. "I'm looking forward to seeing Wolfy's reaction!" uttered Jillian.

While Mildred and Jillian took turns freshening up in the bathroom, Jillian and Benjamin got to work. Cornelia collected a heaping bunch of rocks and was prompt to place them in Wolfy's stomach. Benjamin sewed him shut. When Jillian and her grandmother were all cleaned up, Jillian said, "Let's hide and watch the comeuppance unfold!".

A groggy Wolfy awoke from his slumber with an aching head, dilated eyes and unruly hair. "Boy, do I have have a case of indigestion. Those two ain't agreeing with me" he muttered. "My mouth's parched, too. I need to get myself some water!". Wolfy was slow to crawl out of bed. His abdomen felt extremely heavy and he could hardly walk. Wolfy stumbled to a nearby, deep lake, with Jillian and her family following him discretely.

"Time to wet my whistle", Wolfy said aloud. Jillian snuck up on him from behind. "Hey, sweetie!" she shouted. This severely startled Wolfy. "Aaaaaagghhh!" he cried out. Jillian gave him a firm kick in the tail. Still screaming, he fell forward, making a humongous splash in the process. Wolfy sank rapidly to the bottom and stayed there.

Jillian's family came out from hiding. "And Wolfgang Jones met a watery grave" remarked Cornelia. "Serves him right" Mildred commented. Benjamin complimented Jillian by saying "You thought up a suitable demise for him". "Thank you, Pa. You and ma were really great at bringing the plan to life", she replied. The family lived out the rest of their days happily. And that is the end of our story.