A Shortcut

While Little Red Riding Hood wandered off the path to gather a bouquet of wildflowers, the wolf slipped away through the trees, taking a shortcut he knew straight to the grandmother's cottage.

He knocked softly on the door, disguising his voice. "It's me, Grandmother's dear," he said. "I've brought you something warm."

The door creaked open, and the wolf slipped inside before anyone could see him properly.