Did you know that the story of Little Red Riding Hood is a folktale that was shared orally until the French author Charles Perault published the story for the first time in 1697? Since then, the story of Little Red Riding Hood has been told and retold so many times that there is a long list of renditions and adaptations by the 19th century.
I would like to add to this list.
The fairytale stories of my childhood have always intrigued me, but Little Red Riding Hood held my attention and enlightened me in culture. If you're European or of Caucasian decent, you may not have noticed the cultural references within the story. The way that Little Red Riding Hood dressed may not have engaged you. The manner in which Little Red Riding Hood spoke may not have puzzled you. The freeness at which Little Red Riding Hood walked through the forest and the naivety in which she trusted the wolf may not have alarmed you.
If you were a Black American girl with Black American parents, however, perhaps you would have viewed the story through a different perspective.
I think the original story of Little Red Riding Hood is enchanting and beautiful. Culture, no matter who's it is, is worthy of admiration. This classic story is and will always be one of my favorite tales and one of the integral inspirations behind my love for story-telling and reading.
But may I present a new adaptation to this classic tale? What would happen if the story could be retold with a different cultural context? What if Little Red Riding Hood was a little black girl who donned a red hoodie? And instead of a piece of cake and a bottle of wine, she had collard greens and hot water cornbread in her basket? What if Little Red was smarter than the cunning wolf and she didn't trust him so easily after all?
And what if, just what if, her name was Lil' Red, instead?
Please stay tuned for Gabie the Author's rendition of this classic tale: Lil' Red in the Hood by Gabrielle Marie Kelley.
