The original cautionary tale we know as "Little Red Riding Hood" did not star a wolf, but the violent, sexual, and adult nature of the story made its evolution easy.
Miss Hood eventually became a warning figure to children about strange men, especially wolfish men who preyed on innocent young girls and boys.
A story began circulating in the middle ages called, “La Finta Nonna” which translates from Italian to…. The False Grandmother. The folktale dates back as early as the 14th century, only there was no wolf. The stranger was an ogre. After the ogre butchers Grandma, he feeds the girl the remains, then lures the girl into bed. Using her wits and an excuse go outside to poop before she fouls the bed, the girl escapes. ... yikes!
Later this story became … ”Le Petit Chaperon Rouge.“ The Little Red Hat … again, no wolf. The stranger was a Bzou, a type of werewolf. Here the girl is devoured by the wolf.
By the time the Grim Brothers published it, the original meaning was lost and only the rumors of an evil, cunning wolf who ate children remained. Of course, Miss Red was saved by a man and all was well. Oh well...
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