LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD
Dramatis Personae LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD, a brave damsel The WOLF, a voracious predator GRANNY, a hapless victim HUNTSMAN, an peasant hero MOTHER, a concerned matronAct I, Scene 1. Red's familial home.Red's MOTHER is within, fretting. Enter LITTLE RED, singing with excitement, and tying on a crimon-dyed hooded cloak.LITTLE REDO what joyous morn, for I am on my wayThrough yonder wood at the bright break of day!Mother dear, let not mine actions affright;I'll heed thy warnings— staying out of sight.MOTHERYea, beware of what the forest doth hold,For hidden perils doth wait in shadows cold.Take heed of strangers that thou shalt meetAnd return to me ere sun's swift retreat.Exit LITTLE RED, with a basket full of bread and sweets.MOTHERFair Red, my child, thy journey lies aheadIn perilous woods where evils are bred.From a mother's sweet love, I must imploreThou heedest my words, and danger's path ignore!These woods, yon labyrinth of shadows and woe,Be rife with horrors foul corruption doth bestow.Beware also the wolf that doth terrorizeWith honeyed words and treacherous disguise!Let not these distractions cloudeth thy gaze—May wisdom guide thee through destiny's maze.I do beseech thee, stay on the righteous way,In sunlight's grace, protection's guiding ray.REDAllay thy fears— for all my wits are keen;They shall guide me through yon forest green!MOTHERGo forth with blessings of a mother's love;May God's grace guide thee, like heaven's dove.I shall await thy safe return with bated breath.May the Lord shield thee from mongers of death!LITTLE REDFret not, dear mother, for I'll heed thy plea;My footsteps guided by thy wisdom's key.I shall tread lightly in the forest's shade—Thy counsel's light to keep me unafraid.Exit LITTLE RED.Curtain.Act I, Scene 2, A forest.Enter LITTLE RED, skipping along mirthfully.LITTLE REDSuch an enchanting wood, so green and lush.Still, I must be cautious. Someone comes— hush!Enter the WOLF.LITTLE RED (Aside) O! And who be this rogue with eyes so sly?I trust not that mischievous gleam in his eye.WOLFGreetings, maiden! Whither dost thou roam?And might I guide thee 'neath welkin's blue dome?I know all the shortcuts— paths perfectly divine,We'll reach thy destination ere the light decline.LITTLE REDThine offer is tempting— yet I must refuse;I should follow this path I've chosen to use.Apologies, Mister Wolf, for I must venture aloneTo my dear Granny's, heaven's sweet crone.Mayhap I'll see thee anon, but not again hereIn this wild woodland, this uncharted frontier.Exit LITTLE RED.WOLFLittle Red, as thou treadest yon wooded trail,Thine innocence, like my prey, shall not avail!For here where shadows show their might,I, the cunning wolf, shall obtain my delight.Thou art but a morsel, tender and sweet,A mirthful morsel— a delectable treat!Thy red cloak, like a beacon, draws me nearTo satiate my hunger, and dismiss my fear.With a voice of kindness, I shall entice,To lead thee astray, into realms of hell's vice.I'll wear the mask of this granny so meek,To lure thee closer, for thy doom I doth seek!Neither strength nor valor shall thwart my desireTo taste thy tender flesh, to quench my dark fire.So venture forth into this treacherous lair—With every step, thou dost wander unaware!For I, the Wolf, shall stalk thee with delightAnd claim thy flesh, 'neath the sun's failing light.Exit WOLF.Curtain.Act I, Scene 3. Granny's cottage.The WOLF, disguised as Granny, lies on a bed within, mostly covered. Enter LITTLE RED.WOLFDarling Red, how I long for thine embrace!Simply seeing thee puts a smile on my face.Come inside, my dear— and let us now shareStories of familial love beyond compare.LITTLE REDO my, such impressively long arms hast thou!WOLFAll the better to hug thee, if thou shalt allow.LITTLE REDAnd what pointy ears doth sit upon thine head!WOLFThe better to hear thy soft voice whilst I lie abed.LITTLE REDAnd what big, voracious eyes thou hast got!WOLFThe better to view the treats thou hast brought.LITTLE REDAnd what great sharp, terrible teeth thou hast!WOLFThe better to eat thee up, at long last!LITTLE REDThou nearly deceived me with thy cunning disguise;I see thou dost want for me a grisly demise!Thy voice may've imitated Granny's sweet tone,But all thine intentions, Wolf, are now clearly shown.WOLFVerily thou guessest aright, my fair Little Red—So full of warm life, yet soon to be dead!Prepare for a chase, my dear, through yonder glen,And know this, little prey, I'll have thee in the end!Exeunt.Curtain.Act I, Scene 4. A forest path.Enter LITTLE RED and the WOLF, running through the woods.LITTLE REDI'll outwit thee here at every twist and turnThrough these paths, leaving thee to yearn.Aye, foul beast, thy hunger shan't be sated;My mettle is strong, thy failure is fated.WOLFThy bravery is admirable, sweet child—But in the end, thou art but meek and mild!I'll claim thee yet— mine hunger shall prevail;My fangs, sweet morsel, henceforth ends thy tale.Enter an axe-wielding HUNTSMAN, blocking the path.HUNTSMANHalt, vile creature! Thy chase endeth here.Girl, step back, for there's naught to fear;I shall protect thee from this wicked beast.Now die, Wolf— for thy chase hath ceased.WOLFI've tasted innocence, I've savored sin—Thy grand defeat, peasant, shall now begin!Yea, here in this wood, I am the king.My claws and my teeth shall soon thy death bring.HUNTSMANInnocence I guard with every breath,And with my axe, I hence pronounce thy death!Thy monstrous maw, thy teeth like daggers keen,Shall taste this cold unyielding edge, I ween.With that, the HUNTSMAN engages in a thrilling fight against the ravenous WOLF.WOLFThy sharp iron seeks to cease my desire;Thy valiant heart burns with holy fire—Yet I am nature's fury, fierce and wild,Mine hunger, mortal man, cannot be exiled!They continue to battle fiercely, the HUNTSMAN pressing THE WOLF back. The hunter has become the hunted!HUNTSMANWith every step I'll chase thee to the end.Thy twisted soul I'll never comprehend.Thou threatenst innocence— that I shan't abide!I'll rid the wide wood of thy wicked hide.At last, the HUNTSMAN lands a fatal blow, and the WOLF howls in agony as he falls.WOLFO, cursed cur! Thy steel hath struck me low!Slain now, the crimson path I now shall go.Hence, innocence is saved— I've paid the price;Thy righteousness hath conquered nature's vice.With one last stroke of his mighty axe, the HUNTSMAN slices open the WOLF. From the gaping wound of the dead beast tumbles GRANNY, dazed but alive. LITTLE RED and the HUNTSMAN rush to her aid.HUNTSMAN (to LITTLE RED)Art thou unharmed, fair maiden? Speak, I pray.LITTLE REDThanks to thy valor, I am safe this day.GRANNYYe have rescued me, as your courage did shine.So open thy basket, granddaughter. Let's dine!(Aside)Hark, gentle audience, lend thine ears to meAs I, old Granny, share my wisdom with ye.From this fabulous tale of Little Red Riding Hood,I beseech ye all: let its lessons prove understood!Though peril lurketh in shadows of woodland deep,'Tis in the heart of Red, courage takest its leap!She faced the Wolf with wit and steadfast might;Defying his deceitful ways, she conquered her fright.Armed with vigor, she danced through paths winding—Though dangers loomed, their fell fangs a-grinding—This child, quite undeterred, with purity of heartWove a tapestry of valor, setting her apart!Trust not appearances, nor sweetly-spoken word,For deception oft hides within what is heard.So let this tale be a beacon shining so bright,To guide through yon vale of life's fading light.Yea, though wolves may tempt in disguise profound,The soul resolute anon shall be crowned!Thus take heed, dear friends: let this play impartThe quality of courage etched in each heart;And may Little Red Riding Hood's legacy endure—This testament to brave souls, steadfast and pure.Final curtain.End of play.
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