Chapter Two

Later that afternoon, Little Red Riding Hood trudged home, feeling guiltier than ever.

She should have realized Granny was lonely. Granny didn’t have any neighbors, and Mom and Little Red Riding Hood lived too far away to visit her often.

“Hello there, Little Red Riding Hood!” a voice roared suddenly. A large, hairy figure appeared beside her.

“Yikes!” she squeaked. “Oh hi, Mr. Woodcutter. Sorry, you startled me.”

“No problem,” he boomed, smiling at her. He was a big man with a big beard. He was about the same age as Granny.

“Just been to see your Granny?” he asked. “How is she?”

“Well, mostly okay,” said Little Red Riding Hood. Then she told him what Granny had said.

“A wonderful woman like your Granny feeling lonely?” he said. “I can hardly believe it! I would have thought she’d have plenty of visitors.”

“Still, we are rather isolated in this part of the forest. I get lonely myself sometimes. Maybe I could stop over and see her,” he added.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Woodcutter,” said Little Red Riding Hood. “It’s kind of you to offer, but I’m sure I can think of something. Anyway, I’d better be getting home now. Goodbye!”

That evening, Little Red Riding Hood sat in her room feeling bad. She would just have to visit Granny more often. But that might not be easy. There was hardly a day when she didn’t do something after school.