Chapter Five

That evening, Little Red Riding Hood checked The Forest Web again. She soon found something else that looked promising.

“It’s called Forest Speed Dating, Granny,” she said on her next visit. “They even have a Senior Citizens Night at the Palace Community Center. You’ll meet lots of nice people, maybe even somebody special.”

But Granny didn’t. She hated it even more than The Forest Belles.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” she said, “but I’d rather spend more time with just one person at a time. Then we can get to know each other.”

Little Red Riding Hood was filled with gloom. What else could she do?

She trudged home through the forest, and there was Mr. Woodcutter. He asked about Granny, and they chatted for a while. Then he sighed.

“Well, I’d better go,” he said. “Oh, I meant to tell you. I’m thinking of moving away to start a new life somewhere else.”

“Really? How wonderful!” said Little Red Riding Hood. “Well I ought to be getting home myself. All the best, Mr. Woodcutter. Goodbye!”

She walked down the path, thinking about Granny. And suddenly the answer hit her. She had known the right person all along — Mr. Woodcutter! Why hadn’t she seen it before?

She frowned when she thought of how she ignored him each time he offered to visit Granny.

And now he was planning to move away and take Granny’s chance of happiness with him. Little Red Riding Hood decided she wasn’t going to ruin things for Granny again!