Back in 2014 I wrote a short story with a little twist on little red riding hood. Enjoy!
Once upon a time lived a little girl named Ruqayyah. She lived in a small town with her parents. She didn't like being in big cities because it was busy and dirty. Grimy people were lurking in the shadows. She had the charm to make them good. There was something about her green eyes.
Her mother loved the color red and thought it would go well with Ruqayyah's green eyes. Mom bought red fabric and stitched her a headscarf. Ruqayyah loved it. She wore it every day.
One day her mother said to her: 'Come, Little Red, here are some homemade cookies, fruit, and dates; take them to your grandmother, she is ill and weak, and they will help her. Go before it gets hot, and walk nicely and quietly and do not run off the path, or you may fall and break the cookies or scrape your knee, then your grandmother won't get anything; and when you go into her room, don't forget to say, "Good morning" and don't peep into every corner. Come home before sunset."
Halfway there, Little Red started getting tired. She sat on a rock and made a little prayer. Soon after, she heard some rustling. She hugged her basket. An angel of help appeared. "Peace be with you, daughter of Eve. You're doing a good deed; here, drink this water. It'll help you on the rest of your journey."
She stood there in shock; yet drank the water. She wondered how does the angel know. As if it can read my mind, he answers, "God knows everything." Then the angel disappeared. She got up and continued.
Once there, she didn't find her grandmother at the front door but a pig. She didn't know what to do. She kept her face down. "Hi, little Red, can I help you with the basket?"
Before she could say no, he took it inside. She took a wet cloth and cleaned the basket. She asked, "how do you know who I am?"
"Your grandmother told me," he smirked.
"Where is she?" she asked.
"It's for me to know and you to find out."
She made eye contact; her eyes caught the natural light. The green in her eyes made something in the pig change. He changed into a cat.
She finally could get past him. Yet he followed her as she went to look for her grandmother. She found her in the closet. They both went to wash up and pray to thank God for their victory. She found the cat still in the house, soaking in the sunlight. After that, they enjoyed the goodies Ruqayyah brought. She forgave the "pig" and gave some scraps to the cat.
Before going home, her grandmother went to get something from her drawer. She gave Ruqayyah a little bag of chocolate and dates, "don't tell your mom I gave you anything; she will get mad at me. Run along now."
Ruqayyah skipped all the way home while eating her chocolate. The dates were delicious, too. It gave her the energy she needed to continue her walk. She remembered the story her mom told her. Dates are one of the prophet's favorite foods. Back at home, her mom tucked her into bed.
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