A Disney bedtime stories book holds a special kind of magic. It is a collection of familiar friends and gentle adventures. These stories are perfect for bedtime stories for 5 year olds. They are not scary. They are about kindness, bravery, and happy endings. Here is a new tale, written in the spirit of a classic Disney bedtime stories book. It is a gentle retelling of a familiar story. It is about being clever and listening to your family. It has a safe and warm ending, just right for sharing before sleep.
Once upon a time, in a village near a deep, dark forest, there lived a sweet little girl. She had a red cloak with a hood that she loved to wear. Everyone called her Little Red Riding Hood. She lived with her mother in a small, cheerful cottage.
One morning, her mother called her. “Little Red, your grandmother is not feeling well. I have baked her some nice berry muffins. Would you be a dear and take this basket to her?” Little Red loved her grandmother very much. “Of course, Mama!” she said.
Her mother gave her the basket. It was covered with a red checkered cloth. “Now remember,” her mother said. “Go straight to Grandma’s house. Do not stop in the forest. Do not talk to strangers. The path is safe if you stay on it.”
“I will, Mama!” Little Red promised. She put on her red cloak, picked up the basket, and skipped out the door. Her grandmother lived in a cottage on the other side of the forest. The sun was shining. Birds were singing. Little Red walked along the path. Skip, hop, skip.
Soon, she came into the forest. The trees were tall. Their leaves made a soft sound. Swish, swish. Little Red saw pretty yellow flowers. “Oh! Grandma would love these!” she thought. She stepped off the path just a little to pick a small bunch. Snap, snap went the stems.
Just then, a large wolf stepped out from behind a big tree. He had big eyes and big ears. “Well, hello there, little girl,” the wolf said. He tried to sound friendly, but his voice was deep and scratchy.
Little Red remembered her mother’s rule. Do not talk to strangers. But the wolf was right in front of her. “Hello, Mr. Wolf,” she said politely, holding her basket tightly.
“And where are you going on this fine day, with your lovely red cloak?” asked the wolf, his eyes on the basket.
“I am going to my grandmother’s house,” said Little Red. “She is not feeling well. I am taking her these muffins to make her happy.”
“How very kind,” said the wolf. His mind began to work. He was not a nice wolf. He liked to play tricks. “And where does your dear grandmother live?”
“She lives in the little cottage with the green door and the stone chimney, on the other side of the forest,” said Little Red.
“Ah, yes,” said the wolf. “A lovely cottage. Well, you should hurry along. But look! See those beautiful blue flowers over there?” The wolf pointed deep into the woods. “Your grandmother loves blue flowers. They would cheer her up much more than those yellow ones.”
Little Red looked. She did see some pretty blue flowers. Maybe the wolf was right! “Thank you, Mr. Wolf!” she said. She forgot her promise. She ran off the path toward the blue flowers.
The wolf grinned. “Silly child,” he chuckled. Now he had a plan. He would run ahead to Grandma’s house. He would play a trick. He would get into the cottage and… well, he wasn’t sure what. Maybe he would just hide and give them a good scare! That sounded like fun to him. He ran quickly through the trees, taking a shortcut.
Meanwhile, Little Red picked a big bunch of blue flowers. Snip, snip. She put them in her basket with the muffins. She got back on the path and continued her walk. She hummed a happy tune.
The wolf reached Grandma’s cottage first. He knocked on the door. Tap, tap, tap. “Who is it?” called a kind, weak voice from inside. The wolf put his paw to his throat, trying to sound like a little girl. “It is Little Red Riding Hood, Grandma! I have brought you some muffins!”
“Oh, come in, my dear! The door is unlocked!” Grandma called. She was in her bed, resting.
The wolf pushed open the green door. He tiptoed inside. He saw Grandma in her bed. Before she could even sit up, the wolf had a silly idea. He wanted to play dress-up! He gently helped Grandma out of bed. “Shhh, it’s just a game,” he whispered. “Let’s play a trick on Little Red. You hide in the closet for a minute. I will put on your nightgown and nightcap. It will be funny when she comes in!”
Grandma was a good sport. She thought it was a strange, but harmless, game. She was feeling a bit better now anyway. “Alright, you silly creature,” she laughed softly. “But don’t eat my muffins!” She went and hid in the big closet.
The wolf put on Grandma’s frilly nightgown and nightcap. He jumped into the bed and pulled the covers up to his nose. He waited.
Soon, Little Red arrived at the cottage. The door was open a crack. “Grandma?” she called, walking in. “I’m here!”
“Come in, my dear,” said the wolf, trying to sound like Grandma. His voice was still too deep and scratchy.
Little Red walked to the bedside. The room was a bit dark. “Oh, Grandma,” she said. “What big ears you have!” “All the better to hear you with, my child,” said the wolf. “And Grandma, what big eyes you have!” “All the better to see you with, my dear,” said the wolf, starting to giggle. “But Grandma,” said Little Red, leaning closer. “What a big nose you have!” “All the better to… to smell your delicious muffins with!” said the wolf, giggling more.
Then Little Red saw the furry paw on the blanket. It was not Grandma’s hand! She took a step back. “And Grandma… what big… TEETH you have!”
The wolf could not hold it in anymore. He burst out laughing! He threw off the covers and sat up, the nightcap falling over one eye. “HA HA HA! The better to SMILE with, my dear! It’s me! Got you!”
Just then, the closet door burst open! It was not Grandma. It was the friendly forest ranger, who had been checking on the old woman! He had heard the wolf’s laugh from outside. “WHAT is going on in here?” he boomed.
The wolf stopped laughing. He saw the tall, strong ranger. “Eep!” The wolf jumped out of bed. He was so surprised, he ran straight out the door, through the forest, and was never seen near the path again. He had learned his lesson about playing tricks.
Grandma stepped out from behind the ranger. She had been hiding behind him! She was laughing. “Oh, that silly wolf! He just wanted to play a joke!”
Little Red ran and hugged her grandmother. “I’m so glad you’re okay! And I brought you muffins and flowers!” She showed her the basket.
The ranger smiled. “Well, it seems everyone is safe. But remember, Little Red, stay on the path. And no talking to tricky wolves!”
“I will, I promise!” said Little Red.
She and her grandmother had a lovely visit. They ate muffins with the forest ranger. They put the blue and yellow flowers in a vase. The cottage was filled with warmth and laughter.
When Little Red walked home, she stayed right in the middle of the path. The sun was setting, painting the sky orange and pink. She knew her mother would be waiting. She had learned to listen, to be careful, and that even a scary surprise can end with a happy laugh and a muffin.
She got home safely and told her mother the whole funny story. They both agreed that Grandma must be feeling much better to play such a trick. That night, Little Red went to sleep with a smile, dreaming of flowers, muffins, and her grandmother’s kind, laughing eyes.
This tale from our Disney bedtime stories book is now over. It teaches us to listen to our parents and to be clever. It shows that even mistakes can end happily. So close your eyes, think of Grandma’s cozy cottage, and let the peaceful feeling of the story carry you off to a wonderful sleep. Goodnight.