Grimm Brothers
|
Germany

The Wolf and The Seven Little Kids

A mother goat's kids are tricked and eaten by a wolf, but she rescues them, and they defeat him.
Caution
Deception
Resourcefulness
The Wolf and The Seven Little Kids
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, there was an old goat who had seven little kids. She loved them very much. One day, she needed to go into the forest to find food. Before she left, she called her children together and said, "Dear children, I have to go into the forest. Be careful of the wolf. If he comes, he will eat you all. He often tries to trick us, but you can tell it's him by his rough voice and black paws."

The little kids promised, "We will be careful, Mother. Don't worry about us." Then the mother goat left with a peaceful mind.

Soon after, there was a knock at the door. "Open the door, dear children. It's your mother, and I have something for each of you," said a voice. But the kids knew it was the wolf because of his rough voice. "We will not open the door. You are not our mother. She has a soft, kind voice. Your voice is rough. You are the wolf!" they cried.

The wolf went away, but he came up with a plan. He went to a store and bought a piece of chalk. He ate it to make his voice soft. Then he returned to the house and knocked on the door again. "Open the door, dear children. It's your mother, and I have something for each of you," he said in a softer voice. But the kids saw his black paws through the window and cried, "We will not open the door. Our mother doesn't have black paws. You are the wolf!"

The wolf was very angry. He went to a baker and said, "I hurt my paws. Can you put some dough on them for me?" The baker did this. Then the wolf went to the miller and said, "Can you put some white flour on my paws?" The miller thought, "The wolf wants to trick someone." But the wolf said, "If you don't do it, I will eat you!" The miller was scared, so he made the wolf's paws white.

The wolf went back to the house for the third time. He knocked and said, "Open the door, dear children. It's your mother, and I have something for each of you." The kids heard a soft voice and saw the white paws, so they thought it was their mother. They opened the door, and the wolf came in. The kids were very scared and tried to hide. One hid under the table, another in the bed, the third in the stove, the fourth in the kitchen, the fifth in the cupboard, the sixth under a bowl, and the seventh in the clock-case. But the wolf found and swallowed them all, except for the one in the clock-case.

The wolf, now full, went outside, lay under a tree, and fell asleep. Soon after, the mother goat came home. She saw the door open and everything in the house was a mess. She couldn't find her children and called out to them. Finally, the youngest kid, hiding in the clock-case, answered, "Mother, I am here." She pulled him out, and he told her everything that had happened.

The mother goat cried for her children. Then, she and the youngest kid went out and found the wolf sleeping under the tree. She saw something moving inside his belly and thought, "Maybe my children are still alive." She ran home and got scissors, a needle, and thread. She cut open the wolf's stomach, and out came her six other kids, alive and unharmed. They hugged their mother with joy.

The mother goat said, "Now, children, find some big stones. We will fill the wolf's stomach with them." The kids did as she said, and then she sewed up the wolf's stomach. The wolf did not wake up.

When the wolf finally woke up, he was very thirsty. He tried to walk to the well to drink, but the stones in his stomach made him heavy. As he moved, the stones knocked together. The wolf said, "What is this noise inside me? I thought it was six kids, but it just feels like big stones."

When he reached the well and bent over to drink, the stones were so heavy that he fell into the water and drowned.

The mother goat and her seven kids were very happy and safe. They danced around the well, celebrating their victory.

Once upon a time, there was an old goat who had seven little kids. She loved them very much. One day, she needed to go into the forest to find food. Before she left, she called her children together and said, "Dear children, I have to go into the forest. Be careful of the wolf. If he comes, he will eat you all. He often tries to trick us, but you can tell it's him by his rough voice and black paws."

The little kids promised, "We will be careful, Mother. Don't worry about us." Then the mother goat left with a peaceful mind.

Soon after, there was a knock at the door. "Open the door, dear children. It's your mother, and I have something for each of you," said a voice. But the kids knew it was the wolf because of his rough voice. "We will not open the door. You are not our mother. She has a soft, kind voice. Your voice is rough. You are the wolf!" they cried.

The wolf went away, but he came up with a plan. He went to a store and bought a piece of chalk. He ate it to make his voice soft. Then he returned to the house and knocked on the door again. "Open the door, dear children. It's your mother, and I have something for each of you," he said in a softer voice. But the kids saw his black paws through the window and cried, "We will not open the door. Our mother doesn't have black paws. You are the wolf!"

The wolf was very angry. He went to a baker and said, "I hurt my paws. Can you put some dough on them for me?" The baker did this. Then the wolf went to the miller and said, "Can you put some white flour on my paws?" The miller thought, "The wolf wants to trick someone." But the wolf said, "If you don't do it, I will eat you!" The miller was scared, so he made the wolf's paws white.

The wolf went back to the house for the third time. He knocked and said, "Open the door, dear children. It's your mother, and I have something for each of you." The kids heard a soft voice and saw the white paws, so they thought it was their mother. They opened the door, and the wolf came in. The kids were very scared and tried to hide. One hid under the table, another in the bed, the third in the stove, the fourth in the kitchen, the fifth in the cupboard, the sixth under a bowl, and the seventh in the clock-case. But the wolf found and swallowed them all, except for the one in the clock-case.

The wolf, now full, went outside, lay under a tree, and fell asleep. Soon after, the mother goat came home. She saw the door open and everything in the house was a mess. She couldn't find her children and called out to them. Finally, the youngest kid, hiding in the clock-case, answered, "Mother, I am here." She pulled him out, and he told her everything that had happened.

The mother goat cried for her children. Then, she and the youngest kid went out and found the wolf sleeping under the tree. She saw something moving inside his belly and thought, "Maybe my children are still alive." She ran home and got scissors, a needle, and thread. She cut open the wolf's stomach, and out came her six other kids, alive and unharmed. They hugged their mother with joy.

The mother goat said, "Now, children, find some big stones. We will fill the wolf's stomach with them." The kids did as she said, and then she sewed up the wolf's stomach. The wolf did not wake up.

When the wolf finally woke up, he was very thirsty. He tried to walk to the well to drink, but the stones in his stomach made him heavy. As he moved, the stones knocked together. The wolf said, "What is this noise inside me? I thought it was six kids, but it just feels like big stones."

When he reached the well and bent over to drink, the stones were so heavy that he fell into the water and drowned.

The mother goat and her seven kids were very happy and safe. They danced around the well, celebrating their victory.

There is a mother goat. She has seven little kids. She loves them very much.

One day, she needs to go to the forest to get food. She says, "Children, I am going to the forest. Be careful of the wolf. He has a rough voice and black paws."

The kids say, "We will be careful, Mother."

The mother goat leaves. Soon, there is a knock at the door. A voice says, "Open the door, children. It is your mother."

But the kids know it is the wolf. They say, "You are not our mother. Your voice is rough. You are the wolf!"

The wolf goes away. He eats some chalk to make his voice soft. He comes back and knocks on the door. He says, "Open the door, children. It is your mother."

The kids see his black paws. They say, "You are not our mother. Your paws are black. You are the wolf!"

The wolf is angry. He puts white flour on his paws. He comes back and knocks on the door. He says, "Open the door, children. It is your mother."

The kids hear a soft voice and see white paws. They think it is their mother. They open the door.

The wolf comes in. The kids are scared. They hide. One hides under the table, one in the bed, one in the stove, one in the cupboard, one under a bowl, and one in the clock. But the wolf finds and eats them all, except the one in the clock.

The wolf is full. He goes outside and sleeps under a tree. Soon, the mother goat comes home. She sees the door open. The house is a mess. She calls her children.

The youngest kid in the clock says, "Mother, I am here." She pulls him out. He tells her everything.

The mother goat cries. She and the youngest kid find the wolf sleeping under the tree. She sees something moving in his belly. She thinks, "Maybe my children are alive." She gets scissors. She cuts open the wolf's stomach. Her six kids come out. They are alive. They hug their mother.

The mother goat says, "Children, get some big stones." They put the stones in the wolf's stomach. Then, she sews it up.

The wolf wakes up. He is very thirsty. He goes to the well to drink. The stones in his stomach are heavy. He falls into the water and drowns.

The mother goat and her seven kids are happy. They are safe. They dance and celebrate.

Once upon a time, there was an old goat who had seven little kids. She loved them very much. One day, she needed to go into the forest to find food. Before she left, she called her children together and said, "Dear children, I have to go into the forest. Be careful of the wolf. If he comes, he will eat you all. He often tries to trick us, but you can tell it's him by his rough voice and black paws."

The little kids promised, "We will be careful, Mother. Don't worry about us." Then the mother goat left with a peaceful mind.

Soon after, there was a knock at the door. "Open the door, dear children. It's your mother, and I have something for each of you," said a voice. But the kids knew it was the wolf because of his rough voice. "We will not open the door. You are not our mother. She has a soft, kind voice. Your voice is rough. You are the wolf!" they cried.

The wolf went away, but he came up with a plan. He went to a store and bought a piece of chalk. He ate it to make his voice soft. Then he returned to the house and knocked on the door again. "Open the door, dear children. It's your mother, and I have something for each of you," he said in a softer voice. But the kids saw his black paws through the window and cried, "We will not open the door. Our mother doesn't have black paws. You are the wolf!"

The wolf was very angry. He went to a baker and said, "I hurt my paws. Can you put some dough on them for me?" The baker did this. Then the wolf went to the miller and said, "Can you put some white flour on my paws?" The miller thought, "The wolf wants to trick someone." But the wolf said, "If you don't do it, I will eat you!" The miller was scared, so he made the wolf's paws white.

The wolf went back to the house for the third time. He knocked and said, "Open the door, dear children. It's your mother, and I have something for each of you." The kids heard a soft voice and saw the white paws, so they thought it was their mother. They opened the door, and the wolf came in. The kids were very scared and tried to hide. One hid under the table, another in the bed, the third in the stove, the fourth in the kitchen, the fifth in the cupboard, the sixth under a bowl, and the seventh in the clock-case. But the wolf found and swallowed them all, except for the one in the clock-case.

The wolf, now full, went outside, lay under a tree, and fell asleep. Soon after, the mother goat came home. She saw the door open and everything in the house was a mess. She couldn't find her children and called out to them. Finally, the youngest kid, hiding in the clock-case, answered, "Mother, I am here." She pulled him out, and he told her everything that had happened.

The mother goat cried for her children. Then, she and the youngest kid went out and found the wolf sleeping under the tree. She saw something moving inside his belly and thought, "Maybe my children are still alive." She ran home and got scissors, a needle, and thread. She cut open the wolf's stomach, and out came her six other kids, alive and unharmed. They hugged their mother with joy.

The mother goat said, "Now, children, find some big stones. We will fill the wolf's stomach with them." The kids did as she said, and then she sewed up the wolf's stomach. The wolf did not wake up.

When the wolf finally woke up, he was very thirsty. He tried to walk to the well to drink, but the stones in his stomach made him heavy. As he moved, the stones knocked together. The wolf said, "What is this noise inside me? I thought it was six kids, but it just feels like big stones."

When he reached the well and bent over to drink, the stones were so heavy that he fell into the water and drowned.

The mother goat and her seven kids were very happy and safe. They danced around the well, celebrating their victory.

Once upon a time, there was a wise old goat with seven lively little kids. She loved them to bits, even though they were quite a handful. One bright morning, she needed to go into the forest to find some tasty food. Before leaving, she gathered her children and said, "Listen up, my little munchkins! I need to pop into the forest for some snacks. Beware of the wolf; he's a sneaky one. You can spot him by his gravelly voice and his big, black paws."

The little kids, being smart and a bit cheeky, promised, "Don't worry, Mama! We've got this. We'll be as careful as cats in a room full of rocking chairs." And with that, the mother goat left with a peaceful mind.

Not long after, there was a knock at the door. "Open up, my little darlings! It's your loving mother, and I've brought you goodies," came a voice. But the kids, ever sharp, knew it was the wolf because of his rough voice. "Nice try, big bad! You're not our mom. She sounds like a lullaby, not like someone gargling rocks!" they shouted.

The wolf slinked away, but he was determined. He went to the store and bought a piece of chalk, gobbling it up to soften his voice. He returned to the house and knocked again. "Open up, sweeties! It's your mother, with treats for you," he said in a much softer voice. But the kids peeked through the window and saw his black paws. "Ha! You can't fool us, Mr. Grumpy Paws. Our mom has the whitest, fluffiest paws ever!"

Fuming, the wolf stomped off to the baker. "I've hurt my paws. Can you put some dough on them?" he asked. The baker, not wanting any trouble, obliged. Then the wolf went to the miller. "Can you dust my paws with white flour? It's, um, a new fashion trend," he fibbed. The miller hesitated, thinking the wolf was up to no good, but the wolf growled, "Do it, or I'll make you my next snack!" So, the miller nervously dusted the wolf's paws with flour.

Armed with his new disguise, the wolf knocked at the house for the third time. "Open up, kiddos! It's your mother, and I've brought you something special," he cooed in a sweet voice. The kids saw the white paws and heard the soft voice, thinking it was their mom. They opened the door, and in came the wolf!

Panic ensued! The kids scattered like marbles, hiding wherever they could. One dove under the table, another jumped into the bed, a third hid in the stove, the fourth squeezed into the kitchen, the fifth crammed into the cupboard, the sixth slipped under a bowl, and the seventh found a spot in the clock-case. But the wolf found and gobbled up all, except for the one in the clock-case.

Stuffed and satisfied, the wolf waddled outside, plopped down under a tree, and promptly fell asleep, snoring like a chainsaw. Soon after, the mother goat returned home. She found the door wide open and the house in chaos. Her heart sank, and she called out, "Where are my babies?" Finally, the youngest kid, still hiding in the clock-case, answered, "I'm here, Mama!"

The mother goat pulled him out, and he explained everything. Saddened but determined, she said, "Let’s go find that big-bellied bully." They found the wolf snoring under the tree. Seeing his bulging belly moving, the mother goat thought, "Maybe my kids are still alive!" She rushed home, grabbed scissors, a needle, and thread, and returned.

Carefully, she snipped open the wolf’s stomach, and out popped her six other kids, all unharmed. They hugged their mother joyfully. "Now, kids, let’s give this wolf a tummy ache he'll never forget. Gather some big stones!" The kids did as she said, filling the wolf’s stomach with stones. Then, she sewed him back up.

When the wolf woke up, he felt terribly thirsty. He lumbered to the well, his belly clinking and clunking with each step. "What's this racket inside me? I thought I had a nice meal, but it feels like I've swallowed a rock collection!" he grumbled.

Reaching the well, he bent over to drink, but the weight of the stones toppled him in. With a splash and a gurgle, the wolf sank and was never seen again.

The mother goat and her seven kids cheered and danced around the well, celebrating their cleverness and their safety. From that day on, they lived happily, always remembering to stay smart and stick together.

Once a mother goat so bright,
Had seven kids, her pure delight.
One day she said, “I'll be away,
"I must find food, so here you stay.”

“Beware the wolf, his voice so rough,
And black paws that are very tough.”
The kids replied, “We’ll heed your call,
Mother dear, we’ll watch for all.”

Soon they heard a knock, knock, knock,
A voice said, “Kids, undo the lock.”
But it was harsh, they knew the sound,
“No, you’re the wolf who’s sneaking around!”

The wolf then plotted, oh so sly,
To trick the kids, he’d surely try.
With chalk, he made his voice so sweet,
He thought, “This trick will be complete.”

He knocked again, "It’s me, dear kin,
Your mother with a treat, let me in."
But the kids saw his black paws through,
"You're not our mother, we know you!"

The wolf, now furious, went to a shop,
"Cover my paws," he made a stop.
To the miller next for a white disguise,
His plan now set, to fool their eyes.

Back he went and knocked once more,
“Open up, it’s mom, for sure!”
This time with paws so white and voice so soft,
The kids believed and opened the loft.

In he came, and one by one,
He swallowed them, his deed was done.
One hid safely in the clock,
Escaping the wolf's dreadful knock.

Mother goat returned to find,
Her home in disarray, kids confined.
The youngest told her all with tears,
Mother knew she must face her fears.

She found the wolf asleep by a tree,
Cut him open, setting her children free.
They filled his belly with stones so large,
Sewed him up with careful charge.

The wolf awoke with a heavy groan,
Staggered to the well, all alone.
Thirsty, he leaned to drink deep,
The weight pulled him down, a watery leap.

Safe at last, the goat and her brood,
Rejoiced together in a happy mood.
Dancing with joy, hearts so light,
Together they celebrated their night.

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Word Finder

  1. Trick

    To deceive someone to get something.

  2. Paws

    The feet of certain animals like dogs or cats.

  3. Rough

    Not smooth; having an uneven surface.

  4. Soft

    Not hard or firm; gentle and pleasant.

  5. Miller

    A person who works in a mill, grinding grain into flour.

  6. Swallowed

    Took something into the stomach through the mouth.

  7. Stomach

    The organ where food is digested.

  8. Scissors

    A tool used for cutting paper or cloth.

  9. Needle

    A small, thin tool used for sewing.

  10. Sewed

    Joined or fastened something with a needle and thread.

Understanding Questions

  1. Why did the mother goat leave her seven little kids alone at home?
  2. How did the little kids recognize that the wolf was not their mother the first time he knocked on the door?
  3. What did the wolf do to change his voice and paws to trick the little kids?
  4. How did the mother goat save her six children from the wolf’s stomach?
  5. What happened to the wolf at the end of the story?

Word Finder

  1. Forest

    A place with many trees.

  2. Careful

    Watching out for danger or problems.

  3. Rough

    Not smooth, feels bumpy or harsh.

  4. Paws

    Animal feet with claws or pads.

  5. Chalk

    White material used for writing on boards.

  6. Flour

    Powder from grains used in baking.

  7. Scared

    Feeling afraid or frightened.

  8. Stove

    A place to cook food with heat.

  9. Stomach

    Part of the body where food goes.

  10. Drowns

    Dies from being underwater too long.

  1. Trick

    To deceive someone to get something.

  2. Paws

    The feet of certain animals like dogs or cats.

  3. Rough

    Not smooth; having an uneven surface.

  4. Soft

    Not hard or firm; gentle and pleasant.

  5. Miller

    A person who works in a mill, grinding grain into flour.

  6. Swallowed

    Took something into the stomach through the mouth.

  7. Stomach

    The organ where food is digested.

  8. Scissors

    A tool used for cutting paper or cloth.

  9. Needle

    A small, thin tool used for sewing.

  10. Sewed

    Joined or fastened something with a needle and thread.

Understanding Questions

  1. What does the mother goat tell her children to be careful of?

    1. The bear B. The wolf C. The tiger D. The fox
  2. How do the kids know the wolf is not their mother the first time he knocks?

    1. His voice is soft B. His paws are white C. His voice is rough D. His paws are brown
  3. What does the wolf put on his paws to trick the kids?

    1. Mud B. Paint C. White flour D. Black ink
  4. Where does the youngest kid hide when the wolf comes in?

    1. Under the table B. In the stove C. In the clock D. Under a bowl
  5. How do the mother goat and her kids make sure the wolf cannot hurt them again?

    1. They trap him in a cage. B. They put stones in his stomach. C. They send him away. D. They lock the door.
  1. Why did the mother goat leave her seven little kids alone at home?
  2. How did the little kids recognize that the wolf was not their mother the first time he knocked on the door?
  3. What did the wolf do to change his voice and paws to trick the little kids?
  4. How did the mother goat save her six children from the wolf’s stomach?
  5. What happened to the wolf at the end of the story?
  1. How did the wolf initially try to deceive the kids, and why did his first attempt fail?
  2. What steps did the wolf take to disguise his appearance and voice for his second attempt to deceive the kids?
  3. Describe the hiding places chosen by the six kids when the wolf entered the house. How did the wolf manage to find all but one?
  4. What actions did the mother goat and the youngest kid take after discovering the wolf sleeping under the tree, and what was their ultimate plan to deal with him?
  5. Explain how the wolf's actions led to his demise at the well. What was the final outcome for the mother goat and her kids?

Reflection Questions

  1. Why did the mother goat warn her children about the wolf before leaving?
  2. What clever tricks did the wolf use to disguise himself and deceive the kids?
  3. Can you think of a time when someone tried to trick you, and how you knew they were not being honest?
  4. Why is it important to be cautious and listen to warnings, like the little kids did?
  5. What lesson does this story teach us about trusting strangers and being cautious?

Fable Quotes

"Caution is the parent of safety."
"Appearances can be deceiving; look beyond them to see the truth."
"A resourceful person will always find a way to work through difficulties."
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