The Seven Little Goats
Once upon a time, there was a goat who lived with her seven kids in a small house at the edge of a lush forest. She loved them with all the affection a mother can feel for her children, and she tried to protect them from any danger.
—My dear ones, I must go to the forest to look for something to eat.
The mother goat paused for a moment, looking at each of her little ones.
—While I'm gone, make sure you don't open the door to anyone. Much less the wolf, who will try to trick you in a thousand disguises.
His eyes showed concern, although his voice remained firm.
—Mother, don't worry! You can go in peace.
The oldest of the goats replied, staring at the closed door.
The mother bleated softly to say goodbye to her children and set off into the forest with a determined step. After a while, the seven kids heard a knock at the door and a voice filtering through the cracks.
—Open up, little children, I am your mother and I have brought you something for each of you.
The voice sounded raspy, nothing like her real mother's.
The goats looked at each other suspiciously.
—You're not our mother! She has a soft, pleasant voice. Go away, wolf!
The wolf stormed off, muttering curses, and headed for the nearby village. There he bought a large piece of chalk to soften his voice. Some time later, he returned to the cottage and knocked on the door again.
—Mmh... Open up, children, your mother has returned with delicious treats for everyone.
This time, the voice seemed sweeter.
The little goats ran to the window, and one of them could see the wolf's paws, dark and dusty.
—We won't open the door for you. Your voice may sound nicer, but your legs are still black!
The enraged wolf went to a baker's house and begged him to cover his paws with dough. Then he ran to the mill and threatened the miller with flour. His paws were now white, so he returned for the third time.
—Open up, little children, I am your mother.
-First, show us your paws. If they're white, we'll know you're our mom.
The wolf stretched his paws through the window so the little ones could see them.
- Look at them, they are as clear as yours.
The trusting kids were reassured when they saw that they looked white. They opened the door… and at that very moment, the wolf burst into the house with a howl.
The little goats fled in terror, each seeking a different hiding place: one ducked under the table, another ran to the bed, a third hid in the kitchen, and another in the closet. So they all scattered except for the youngest, who managed to get into the clock case.
—You won't escape!
The wolf growled, his eyes fierce and flashing.
And one by one, the wolf swallowed the kids, without bothering to chew them. Satisfied, he staggered from the house and lay down to sleep under a large tree in the middle of the meadow.
Later, the mother goat returned from the forest. Upon entering her home, she found the door wide open. Everything was upside down: overturned furniture, shattered dishes, and no sign of the goats.
He called each one by name, but no one responded… until he heard a faint bleating coming from the clock case.
—Mother, I'm here!
The voice of his youngest son trembled.
The mother goat rescued him and the kid, between sobs, told her how the wolf had swallowed his brothers.
Desperate, the mother left the house, determined to find them at all costs, and the little boy followed her, trembling. When they reached the meadow, they saw the wolf snoring against a tree trunk, his belly swollen and full.
—Good heavens, they're still moving!
The goat exclaimed as it perceived a slight struggle in the wolf's belly.
Then, she sent the kid for some scissors, a needle, and thread. With determination, she carefully opened the wolf's belly, and one after another, the kids came out unharmed, trembling with fear, but healthy.
The reunion with his mother was marked by tears of relief and strong hugs.
—Now, my little ones, bring stones of all sizes. We'll put them inside this scoundrel so he gets what he deserves.
-He won't hurt anyone ever again.
The kids, with renewed energy, found as many stones as they could and stuffed them into the wolf's stomach, while their mother quickly stitched the wound. The monster didn't even notice, falling into a deep sleep.
When he woke up, he got up heavily and felt a devouring thirst.
—What's rumbling and stirring in my poor guts? These little goats don't seem to be settling into their new home.
Limping and bellowing in pain, he reached the well. He bent down to drink, but the weight of the stones dragged him in. With a great splash, he sank into the water and drowned hopelessly.
The goats, who had watched the scene from a distance, ran towards the well.
—The wolf is gone! The wolf is gone!
—The wolf is gone! The wolf is gone!
—The wolf is gone! The wolf is gone!
And they jumped and danced wherever they wanted, accompanied by their mother, celebrating with joy that they had finally been freed from the fearsome enemy.