Romanian Fairy Tales
Little Golden Hood
Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Bridget who lived in a small town near Roseberry Forest. Everyone knew her as Little Golden Hood because she wore a beautiful golden cloak. She was a very sweet and kind soul.
The Strawberry Cake
One day, Little Golden Hood's mother made a wonderful strawberry cake.
— The cake looks delicious, Mommy! Can we take some to Grandma? — What a great idea, dear! Let's cut it in half and take some to Grandma! — Yes, Mommy! Yes! Hooray!
The mother lovingly cut and packed half of the delicious cake into a very pretty pink basket.
— Here you go, Bridget. Be careful. I made you a jam sandwich to eat on the way. Be back before the sun sets. That's when the wolves come out. — Okay, Mommy!
Ergo, the Kind Wolf
Little Golden Hood said goodbye to her mother and set off. Meanwhile, deep in Roseberry Forest, there lived a family of wolves. They always scared children to steal their food.
However, Ergo, the little pup, could never bring food home because he was very kind and gentle. His brother always teased him.
— Hey, Ergo! Are you planning to come home again without bringing something for dinner, huh? — I will bring delicious food for dinner. In fact, I'll bring a delicious cake. — Cake? You can't even get half a slice of bread! I hope you get cake in your dreams! Ha ha! — Wait! I can be mean too! I can be a really bad wolf, can't I?
The Unexpected Meeting
Bridget was happily walking through the forest. She watched the birds fly, played with the squirrels, and gathered beautiful flowers along the way. She began to hum as she walked.
And Ergo listened to her as he prowled about, looking for prey.
— Oh, I think someone's coming! Let me hide quickly! I'll get delicious food!
Ergo quickly hid behind a tree and waited for Little Golden Hood to pass.
— I'll scare her to death!
Ergo took a deep breath and got ready. And when she came close, he jumped out.
— Meow!
Little Golden Hood flinched.
— Oh, hello little puppy! Are you lost?
Ergo was confused, because Little Golden Hood wasn't scared at all.
— I'm mean! Woof! Woof! Woof! — Oh, you must be hungry! I have food for you.
Bridget took out the jam sandwich her mother had given her and broke off a piece.
— Here you go, boy! — Huh? — But first you have to sit. Sit! — What? Why? — No! Sit! Otherwise I can't give you this. — Fine! — Can I have your paw? Give it to me! — Fine! — What a good boy! Here's your treat!
Ergo received the most delicious jam sandwich and on top of that was petted, which he absolutely loved. He immediately clung to Bridget and nuzzled her.
— Ha ha! Stop it! Let's go!
Friendship in the Forest
Bridget and Ergo continued walking through the forest. She picked some berries and gave some to Ergo too. They had already become good friends.
Ergo was curious about the basket. He tried to find out what was in it as they walked.
— Mmm! Oh, it's a delicious piece of strawberry cake baked by Mommy! I asked her if I could take some to Grandma too, and she agreed. And on the way, I met you!
Ergo was over the moon. It was exactly the food he had promised his brother.
— Huh? — I'm afraid I can't give it to you. I only have enough for Grandma. But if there's any left, we can eat together. — Mmm! — I'll definitely give you some if you're a good boy.
Little Golden Hood petted Ergo on the head and the two continued walking.
Temptation and Regret
Just then, Ergo remembered his brother's words.
— Hey, Ergo! Are you planning to come home again without bringing something for dinner? I hope you get cake in your dreams! Ha ha ha! — What am I doing? I should be a bad wolf, not someone's pet! This girl shouldn't like me! I need to be fierce! Woof! Woof!
Ergo kept complaining, but Little Golden Hood didn't understand. He kept jumping and howling, and she was very surprised.
— What? What are you doing? I won't be able to give you the cake if you jump around so much. You have to behave like a good boy.
Ergo calmed down but remained angry at himself. He had promised his brother he would bring cake for dinner, and this was his chance.
— I can't be like this! I have to do something! I'm not a dog! I'm a wolf! A wolf! — Oh, little puppy! You're so cute! — Cute? Me? Thank you! You're making me blush. Wait! What am I doing? Focus, Ergo, focus!
Then Ergo began running circles around Little Golden Hood and quickly snatched the basket from her hands.
— Oh, puppy! Stop! Wait for me!
Bridget chased after him, but Ergo leaped over thick bushes and between large tree roots.
— Give me the basket back!
Bridget couldn't keep up with the wolf's speed and tripped over a tree root.
— Ouch!
Poor Bridget hurt her knee and couldn't get back up. She was hurt and helpless, so she began to cry.
— Ha ha! Ha ha! Ha ha!
Bridget's crying reached Ergo's ears.
— Run, Ergo! Ergo, this is your chance! You can prove your brother wrong! Ha! — Ow! Ow! — Mmm! She must have hurt herself. Maybe I should go see how she's doing. But no! I should take this cake to my brother! — Ow! Ow! — Fine, fine! I don't think I'm meant to be bad. I should go back. I'm really worried.
Making Up
Ergo ran back to Bridget. She was sitting on the ground crying bitterly. Ergo saw her scratched leg and felt terribly guilty. He placed the basket next to her and sat beside her.
He was so upset that he couldn't help himself and began to cry.
— Ooh! I'm a bad wolf! I hurt poor Little Golden Hood! And she was so kind to me!
Seeing Ergo crying, Bridget immediately hugged him.
— Oh, puppy! Are you crying for me? Don't worry! I'm a strong girl! It's okay. I know you were just playing with me. You're such a good boy.
Ergo felt guilty for what he had done and licked Little Golden Hood.
— Ha ha! That tickles! Stop! Ha ha!
At Grandma's
Bridget and Ergo set off again and soon arrived at her grandmother's house.
— Hello, dear Bridget! Oh, you've brought a wolf home? — No, Grandma! I brought you cake! And this little one is my new friend!
Grandma was shocked to see her granddaughter casually walk into the house with the wolf.
— Come and sit next to me, little one! — Hm?
They sat down at the table, but Grandma was frightened at the sight of the wolf. Grandma cut a piece of cake. One for her, one for Little Golden Hood, and one for the wolf.
— Yum, so good!
Grandma, Little Golden Hood, and Ergo began to eat.
— Aren't you afraid of the wolf? — Of the puppy? No! — He has very hairy paws! — All the better for hugging! — He has a big nose! — All the better for sniffing out berries in the forest! — And he has big teeth! — All the better to eat you with! — Eat me? No, Grandma! He only eats jam sandwiches and loves cakes! He's a dessertarian! — What? Dessertarian? He only eats desserts! — Where did you learn that? — I read a lot, Grandma!
Bridget continued eating, as did her little wolf Ergo, which left Grandma very puzzled.
The Farewell and the Promise
After a while, they both decided to leave.
— Goodbye, Bridget! Goodbye, wolf! — Goodbye, Grandma! Say goodbye, little one! We're leaving before it gets dark. Mommy told me wolves come out to hunt at night.
Ergo thought about how beautiful the day spent with wonderful Little Golden Hood had been. But then Ergo grew sad, because he hadn't managed to get a piece of cake to show his brother.
— Alright, puppy! Now I have to go home. I'm sorry I can't take you with me. My mother doesn't like pets. But we'll definitely meet again! — Uh-huh! — Oh, wait!
Bridget pulled out a huge piece of strawberry cake from the basket.
— Here! Just as I promised! You were a good boy, so I saved you some strawberry cake. Eat this for dinner. I know you like it!
Little Golden Hood hugged Ergo, and he snuggled up to her.
— Take care, puppy! Bye!
Ergo and Bridget each went home. Little Golden Hood returned home and told her mother about the adventure while she bandaged her scrape.
— I'm sure there aren't any puppies in the forest. — But, Mommy, it really was a puppy! Oh, you just won't believe me!
Ergo returned home to surprise his brother with a piece of cake.
— How is this possible? I just behaved as my nature dictates. Eat, I'm full.
Ergo was glad he had befriended Little Golden Hood, for that is how he learned he shouldn't try to be someone else. He remained kind and generous with all the passersby in the forest, and they always offered him delicious food.
The End.
